Yew

Taxus baccata

A very long lived tree, sometimes reaching 2000 years. Mature trees are rather short but tend to be broad. The evergreen needles are dark green . The flaky bark is rather reddish in colour. Trees are either male or female with tiny flowers in early spring. Clouds of yellow pollen appear from the male tree if knocked when in flower. The poisonous red berries are called arils as they do not fully enclose the seed. Preferring alkaline soils, Yew is often found in old church yards.