T 



YEW 125 



Yew 



(Taxus baccatd) 



HOUGH the Yew rarely puts on its best form 

 when planted in too confined or smoky districts, 

 yet specimens in various parts of London have at- 

 tained to a fair size and survived for a long period 

 of years. 



One of the largest and best furnished trees is growing 

 in the Physic Garden at Chelsea, and looks little the 

 worse for the smoke and dust to which it has been 

 subjected for fifty years at least. This particular 

 tree is 30 feet high, the branch spread extending to 

 24 feet, and a stem girth of 5 feet 2 inches at a yard 

 from the ground. It is thickly foliaged and be- 

 tokens a healthy condition in spite of its near proxi- 

 mity to the poisonous fumes given off from the 

 neighbouring electric works. In the grounds of 

 Chelsea Hospital there are many thriving Yew trees, 

 and adjoining the Bishop's Park at Fulham may be 

 seen in the old churchyard quite a number of the 

 Irish or Upright Yew, which also seems bravely to 

 withstand the impurities of the town atmosphere. 

 Good specimens of the Yew are also to be found 

 in Hyde and Regent's Parks, and even in the Poplar 

 district this evergreen tree appears to thrive ; but by 

 far the largest and healthiest specimens are to be 

 found in the suburban districts, such as at Hamp- 

 stead, Golder's Green, and in Waterlow Park. 



The Yew is a native tree of small growth, with 

 a short, thick, and deeply fluted stem and a wide- 

 spreading head of branches. It is remarkable for its 

 great powers of endurance and as being proof against 



