Detail of the ancient yew tree in St Helen's church, Darley Dale, Derbyshire, England
Estimates for the age of th eancient yew vary from 700-2,500 years old. When yew trees age their centers rot away leaving an outer ring of healthy growing wood. As these mature the ring can divide and start to look like separate trees. Since the yew at Darley Dale shows no signs of the characteristic hollowing associated with very old yew trees I think it would be unlikely that the tree is 2000 years old, and more likely no older than the church. A healthy female tree 33ft girth 4ft above ground. Notice on iron fence around tree says the church founded and yew probably about 2,000 years old. The notice also gives a very romanitic, innacurate, and highly suspect history "Early Briton’s houses (hut circles) erected not many yards to west of trunk. Romans built up funeral pyres of their slain companions just clear of its branches. Saxons converted and preached to under its branches by Bishop Diuma"
Size: 4061px × 5393px
Location: St Helen's church, Darley Dale, Churchtown, Matlock, Derbyshire, England, UK
Photo credit: © Jean Williamson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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