1 90 Yew- Trees of Great Britain and Ireland 



four years. The tree at Westfelton is the only 

 one that shows an equal rate of growth. 



There is probably some condition of soil, here as 

 at Westfelton, which has caused the exceptional 

 increase in these two trees. A photograph kindly 

 sent by Dr. Scatchard shows the larger tree as one 

 of exceptional beauty of form. 



Box Hill, Surrey. A yew which I saw here in 

 1 887 (Nov. 13), opposite Birchingrove Farm, by the 

 side of the road leading to Headly, and about 

 a mile from Box Hill, presents some singular 

 features. It is growing in the middle of a pasture, 

 and has a fine head of pretty equal boughs spring- 

 ing from a common point at 8 feet from the 

 ground. At the ground, and for the first 2 feet, 

 it measures in girth 8 feet i inch. Above 2 feet it 

 suddenly expands, and measures, at 3 feet 6 inches, 

 12 feet 3 inches. At this point the entire surface 

 of the tree is covered with young spray ; some of 

 the shoots have attained a length of 4 or 5 feet and 

 a diameter of an inch or more, and show distinct 

 coalescence at their base ; but such is the dense 

 shade from the overhanging foliage that they all 

 sooner or later die away, or are eaten by cattle. 

 The lower part of the trunk is smooth and polished, 

 without any sign of spray being formed, and this 

 seems to be due to the fact that the tree is used by 

 sheep as a place to rub against. 



1890, April gth, All the young shoots on the 



