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Pacific Yew

The Pacific Yew is found from British Columbia to Northern California from the coast to the Cascades, on the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas and the western slope of the Rockies in B.C., Idaho and Montana. 
Reference: habitatdana. “Pacific Yew, Taxus Brevifolia.” Native Plants PNW, http://nativeplantspnw.com/pacific-yew-taxus-brevifolia/. Accessed 30 Aug. 2019.

Latin (group) name: Taxus
Latin (specific) name: Taxus Brevifolia Nuttal
Average max height: 20' to 30'
Average diameter: 6" to 12"
Associated state: none
Category: American Woods
The Softwoods - Conifers



The Tree

This tree is most commonly known merely as “Yew” and sometimes called “Western Yew” to distinguish it from another species found in Florida. It is slow growing, usually a small tree from 20 to 30 feet tall and 6 to 12 inches in diameter, although much larger trees are occasionally found. The bark is very thin, barely one-quarter inch thick, comparatively smooth and scaly. It is a dark brownish-red with an inner bark under the scales of a clear rose-red or purple-red in color. The leaves, resembling those of the redwood, are rather short, soft, a deep yellow-green on the upper surface and paler underneath. The Pacific Yew is frequently mistaken for a conifer. Aside from not being a cone bearer, the Pacific Yew differs from conifers in that male and female flowers are produced on different trees. The fruit consists of a small seed surrounded by a bright red or coral-red cupule, and is often eaten by birds.

tree bark
Pacific Yew tree bark
foliage and berry
Pacific Yew foliage with berry

Common Names in Use

  • Pacific Yew (Calif., Oreg., Wash., lit.)
  • Western Yew (Calif.)
  • Yew (Calif., Idaho., Oreg.)
  • Mountain Mahogany (Idaho, Wash., Oreg.)

Growth Range

The Pacific Yew is found from southern Alaska and British Columbia south to the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada of central California east to the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Montana and Idaho.

The Wood

Yew wood is very hard and strong, dense, heavy, very fine and close-grained, and fine-textured. It has good bending qualities and is exceptionally durable. The heartwood is a bright orange or rose-red in color which turns dull upon exposure and a chocolate-tan when oil is applied, the oil apparently destroying the coloring pigment. The sapwood is thin and a light-cream-yellow in color. It may be worked satisfactorily with tools, and finishes smoothly in any style. It splits easily in nailing but holds nails and screws well. The plain sawed pieces have a very pleasing figure.

pacific yew slide
144. Taxus Brevifolia Nuttal

Uses

It is a fine wood for turnery projects. Its most important and valuable use is for archery bows, canoe paddles and small cabinet work. The tree is not abundant which limits the scope of its use.

pacific yew selfbow
Clay Hayes drawing a Pacific Yew selfbow.

File References

  ID T Name Size Last modified Actions
434 Taxus Brevifolia Nuttal
The Pacific Yew is found from British Columbia to Northern California from the coast to the Cascades, on the western slope of the Sierra Nevadas and the western slope of the Rockies in B.C., Idaho and Montana.
Reference: habitatdana. “Pacific Yew, Taxus Brevifolia.” Native Plants PNW, http://nativeplantspnw.com/pacific-yew-taxus-brevifolia/. Accessed 30 Aug. 2019.
214.28 KB 08-29-2019
438 Pacific Yew Range Map
Range map of Taxus brevifolia
Reference: "File:Taxus brevifolia range map.png." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 9 Feb 2016, 02:33 UTC. 30 Aug 2019, 03:05
97.08 KB 08-29-2019
439 Pacific Yew tree bark
Pacific Yew tree bark
Reference: "File:PacificYew 8566.jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 14 Feb 2018, 08:21 UTC. 30 Aug 2019, 03:07
203.86 KB 08-29-2019
437 Pacific Yew Foliage
Pacific Yew Taxus brevifolia, 2005-09-08, Panjab Creek, Blue Mts, WA.
Reference: "File:Taxus brevifolia Blue Mts WA.jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 13 Jun 2019, 15:14 UTC. 30 Aug 2019, 02:59
121.50 KB 08-29-2019
441 144. Taxus Brevifolia Nuttal
Reference: The American Woods: Exhibited by Actual Specimens and with Copious Explanatory Text by Romeyn B. Hough. https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections/forestry/hough/common.html. Accessed 30 Aug. 2019.
275.59 KB 04-11-2020
440 Pacific Yew Selfbow
Clay Hayes drawing a yew selfbow. Selfbows are made from a single piece of wood.
Reference: "File:Pacific Yew Selfbow.jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 26 Mar 2018, 07:29 UTC. 30 Aug 2019, 03:16
253.03 KB 08-29-2019

Bibliography


  • Shelley E. Schoonover (American Woods) 1951 (Watling & Co. ) Santa Monica, CA 


Contributors to this page: admin .
Page last modified on Sunday November 6, 2022 05:35:06 PST by admin.