One of our native UK conifers the Yew does not any produce cones. Taxus baccata flowers very early and you should be able to find flowers in March or even February. This tree is famous for being poisonous in all its parts and these qualities led to it being regarded as a tree you should plant to protect the house and its occupants. Yews can grow large and live to a great age so planting a tree for both shelter and protection from evil magic was common at one time. Although there were trees with wood just as suitable Yew was and still is used for making bows for firing arrows; violin bows though are made from Pernambuco Caesalpinia echinata.
Coed Cilygroeslwyd 10th February 2002
Latin Index English Index Home Page
Added on December 17th 2004