The trunks of old trees are often greatly enlarged by the coalescing of 

 shoots which develop about the base giving them a cathedral-like effect. In 

 Darley Dole Churchyard in England there is a yew formed in this manner. 

 A peculiarity of this coalescing of the main and minor trunks is that the 

 main trunk may eventually die, but the hollow tree will still be nourished by 

 this outer, living shell of younger shoots. 



THE IRISH YEW 



The Irish yew (Taxus baccata fastigiata) was produced from a freak of 

 the English yew, and was first found growing wild more than one hundred 

 years ago in the mountains of County Fermanagh in Ireland. Cuttings 

 from this tree gave us all the Irish yews of today. They have an upright habit 

 of growth, resembling a bundle of closely packed branches. The foliage is of 

 the darkest hue, and the whole tree appears like a deep green column. Irish 

 yews are well adapted for formal effects and avenue planting. They form 

 one of the most striking approaches to the State Capitol at Sacramento. 



THE WESTERN YEW 



The western yew (Taxus brevifolia) is an American species which is 

 widely distributed along the coast of California and in the mountains as far 

 south as the southern Sierras. It seldom exceeds forty feet in height and one 

 to one and one-half feet in diameter, its best development being in moist, 

 cool canyons. The wood is very hard, durable and close-grained, and was 

 formerly used by the Indians for paddles, spear handles and bows. This 

 yew, which resembles the English yew, is occasionally cultivated in gardens. 



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