In Central Europe there is only one species of yew, the European yew (Taxus baccata), of which only very few wild populations still exist. The yew forest has become so rare that the tree species is even considered to be threatened with extinction.
What is the meaning of the yew tree?
The meaning of the yew tree comes from the Germanic word “Iwa”, which means “red, reddish” and can refer to the yew tree’s characteristic red berries and reddish wood. It was revered in many cultures as a sacred tree and symbol of death and rebirth.
What is the meaning of the word “yew”?
The yew tree has been known as a tree species for thousands of years and was revered by our Germanic and Celtic ancestors. The term “yew” probably goes back to a Germanic word from the 9th century AD. “Iwa” means something like “red, reddish”, which can mean both the characteristic red berries and the reddish wood. In other languages the yew also has other names:
- Lithuanian: ieva, buckthorn
- Greek: oie, rowan tree
The latter indicates that red yew berries are very popular with birds. These in turn excrete the poisonous seeds undigested, from which young trees could eventually grow.
Why was the yew once revered as a sacred tree?
Celts, Germanic tribes, Romans and Greeks viewed the yew as a sacred tree. Presumably due to its toxicity and its gloomy appearance, the yew was considered a tree of the dead in many cultures, which guided deceased people and animals to the spiritual realm or acted as a mediator between this world and the afterlife.
The ancient Greeks had yew trees lining the path to the underworld. However, the yew is not just a symbol of death: among the ancient Celts, the yew was also considered a “tree of rebirth” and a gateway to eternity, which is why Druids often used sacred objects (e.g. for protection against evil spirits). yew wood.
How old can yew trees get?
To this day, there are old yew trees in many cemeteries that can be hundreds of years old or even over 1000 years old. For example, the Fortingall Yew in a Scottish cemetery is estimated to be around 2,000 years old. What is probably the oldest yew in Germany, the Old Yew of Balderschwang, is also said to be around 1500 years old.
However, these estimates should be viewed with caution, as the heartwood of old yew trees rots and therefore no annual rings can be counted. Nevertheless, yew trees grow very slowly and therefore age extremely slowly.
Why are there no young yew trees?
In earlier centuries, yew trees were widespread in Europe, but were particularly widespread in the Middle Ages and were cut down to extinction in many regions. Today there are only a few wild stands left, which are also unable to produce young yew trees on their own.
There are often a lot of seedlings, but deer like to eat them. In regions with an overpopulation of deer - for which yew poison is completely harmless - the tree species is particularly rare. Young trees need special protection for the first few years in order to be able to grow and thrive.
Why is yew wood so valuable?
Yew trees were cut down in earlier times mainly because they are extremely poisonous and therefore horses, for example, should be protected from poisoning. But the trees were also sought after because of their wood, which is both hard and particularly elastic.
In England, medieval archers preferred to build their infamous longbows from yew wood. In other parts of Europe, yew wood was also considered particularly suitable for making weapons and musical instruments. Today the reddish wood is also often used to make furniture.
Tip
Yew as a Christmas tree
The yew tree can even be used as a Christmas tree, although this should be avoided in households with children and pets. According to popular superstition, an evergreen yew branch (preferably with fruit) over the doorstep is said to keep evil spirits away.
