Yew Tree

There is a magnificent yew tree between Carmel Lodge and Hope Green care homes.

You may know that yew trees are traditionally grown in church yards. This is not symbolic, but practical in times gone by.

Yew trees were needed to make bows and arrows, before guns were invented. At this time, (before the enclosures act) most of Britain was common land, grazed by all animals. However Churchyards were always walled, to keep the animals out. Yew trees are highly poisonous, so it makes sense that they were grown where animals could not eat them.