The Yews 



habitat, ravines and stream banks. Distribution, mountains of 

 coast, from Alaska to southern California, east to Montana, 

 Uses: Wood for posts, paddles and bows. 



The cheerful green of its foliage relieves this yew of any 

 funereal suggestion. It is a beautiful, if rarely a symmetrical 

 evergreen tree, surprising tourists and delighting the birds with its 

 brilliant berries in autumn. The Indian of Alaska cuts spear 

 shafts, bows, paddles and other articles out of its wood. The 

 settler uses it for fencing. 



The Florida Yew (T. Floridana, Chapm.) is a small tree of 

 bushy habit, often of many stems not 20 feet high. It has the 

 dark green of its European relative, and the same mournful 

 expression. It is found only along the east bank of the Appa- 

 lachicola River in the northwestern corner of the state. 



Our Eastern yew (Taxus minor, Britt.), commonly, but incor- 

 rectly, called ground hemlock, never assumes tree form, but is a 

 sprawling shrub, its dense foliage forming in autumn a rich back- 

 ground for the bright scarlet berries. In cultivation this species 

 becomes less straggling in growth. It is oftenest planted where 

 an undercover is desired on irregular wooded ground. Its foliage 

 takes on a warm tinge of red in winter. The berries are the delight 

 of birds and boys. This is the hardiest yew. 



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