Planting yew trees

[Strichev]

Over here yew is quite rare and constantly under threat by random human action; be it a honorable bowyer or a detestable hunter (the guys who never shoot without a tripod or a solid rest and make yew plates for mounting skulls), we all contribute to the rarity of the tree. And indeed in many places it is considered to be endangered, almost to the point of extinction. The problem is made worse (over here in Slovenia at least) by the lack of economic incentive to plant yew - you can't sell raw yew timber to Italy and Austria, unlike spruce and the sort of trees. Well, perhaps it's even better that way. But I digress.

It's incredibly easy to plant a new yew tree. One takes a small branch and just sticks it into the ground in a nice shady place and keeps it watered. I've planted 3 of them a couple of months ago and all of them seem to be growing at a nice, steady pace. It's a hardy tree.

I suggest that every bowyer plants a few yew trees for every stave cut so as to preserve (and spread?) the wonderful tree. It's poisonous, yes, but beautiful. It would be a shame if it disappeared some time in the future.

Besides, it's a symbol of everlasting life. Perhaps a yew we plant will grow for a 1000 years. And that, without a doubt, is one of the most profound marks one can leave on this world; what other thing that went through our hands can we hope to last as long?

(pictures are to follow soon)

[Marc St Louis]

That is a good idea.  No Yew trees around here but I have planted and transplanted many trees over the years.  I was fortunate enough to come across a HHB many years ago that was loaded with seed so I harvested many of the seeds and spread them around where HHB did not grow.  Perhaps the guys who do cut Yew could just take a branch from the tree they have cut and stick it into the ground some place suitable in honour of the tree that was cut.

[bjrogg]

With all our ash trees dieing  here from the emerald ash bore I've spread a lot of different types of seeds around the HHB is a good idea Marc I'll have to watch mine for seed about when does it mature?

[Knotty]

That is a great idea that I will personally follow.
Next time I go cut some staves, I'll make sure to plant a couple of the branches from the cut tree.
It's a great initiative.

[Ruddy Darter]

Air layering is said to be very successful on yew trees when done in the summer, cutting a ring of bark of a small branch then wrap with sphagnum moss, watered(with some growth hormone added) then wrapped up in plastic. Roots grow under the wrapping then cut the branch under the new roots and ready to plant, I suppose you could do this on multiple branches on a tree prior to being cut down. A popular method with bonsai enthusiasts. (Might be a bit late this year but I may try this with a local ancient yew down the end of my street for a large bonsai for the back garden.)

 Ruddy.

[penderbender]

I have planted over a hundred yew trees. Every time I cut some yew I always plant seedlings from the branches. You gotta give back. Can't always take, especially with stuff like yew. Great to hear others do it too! Cheers- Brendan

[Del the cat]

Yup I get seedlings from the Yew in my back garden and plant them out 
Mind, I never fell a whole tree anyhow.
Del

[penderbender]

I have fallen a whole tree, but mostly go for one's with two or more main trunks. Besides planting them I also do some minor pruning on smaller saplings so they grow nice and straight. Some I have been tending for about 9 years now. They will make nice staves for someone in the future. Possibly my grandchildren. That's always a good thought, to be able to pass on to different generations. My kids will know where they are and how to care for them. Hopefully they will still be around for future bowyers.

[osage outlaw]

I would love to plant some HHB on my property.  I would trade for some seeds if anyone is interested. 

[JW_Halverson]

I would love to plant some HHB on my property.  I would trade for some seeds if anyone is interested.

Ditto.  I would love to see how HHB would fare on the eastern slopes of the Black Hills. I doubt I will live long enough to see them make bow wood, but like it has been said, it is not always about taking.

[bjrogg]

I'll try keeping an eye on mine for seed I've got it growing in a couple places. Pertty sure it'd have to be a really small bow JW the growth ring are really narrow.
Bjrogg

[Marc St Louis]

HHB seeds mature in the Fall.  They don't flower every year, at least up here, and I've only seen seed clusters on HHB on 2 separate occasions.  I have been keeping my eyes open for some, once in awhile anyway, but it's been about 10 years since I've seen some.  One part of our land has a large number of trees, all twisted and gnarly unfortunately, so I'll have to have a look this Fall.  The seeds are actually quite large, like about the size of small Sunflower seeds, and birds and squirrels love them.

[mullet]

I wonder if you could get yew to grow where you live, Marc? Osage doesn't grow in Florida but there are two trees in my front yard.

[TimothyR]

I'd love to plant some yes but I doubt they would grown down here in the extreme temperature differences. Osage definitely.

[Marc St Louis]

Yew does grow up here Eddie.  I saw 2 trees that had been planted next to an old Hospital where we lived in Mattawa, they were short and gnarly and about 5" in diameter.  The trees had been planted when the Hospital had been built in the early 1900's.  They tore down the Hospital some 6 years ago and when they did I asked the construction company if the trees were going to be removed, they said no.  A week later the trees were gone, ripped out by an excavator.   I was a bit sad