This colossal Yew tree {Taxus baccata} stands in the churchyard of St Bartholemew’s in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcel, Ledbury. The village is easily accessible by road and is located in a picturesque part of the English countryside, near the Malvern Hills.
It is vast, held up by a collection of wooden props and more ornate iron poles. Her estimated age has been set at 1500 years old, with a girth of almost 31 feet! Perhaps the most striking aspect of the tree’s size though is that set of benches set up inside, it really is that big.
In 2006 work was carried out to remove as much dead wood as possible to give the Yew a chance at thriving through the 21st century and beyond, this operation yielded six tonnes of waste which took eight trailer-loads to dispose of. New growth is evident in all parts of this grand old dame so this was a job worth doing – Hugh Williams
Revd Val Tait, Rector of the Cider Churches Benefice, explains: “We are honoured to see our lovely Yew included in this list of ancient trees, as part of the late ‘Queen’s Green Canopy’. {The Queen’s Green Canopy listed 70 Ancient Trees which were dedicated to Her Majesty in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee in 2022}.
The tree was featured some years ago in the BBC series “Meetings with Remarkable Trees” and has been praised by arboreal experts form Kew Gardens.
The tree receives many visitors through all seasons of the year. As well as those who come specifically to seek it out for its history and importance as an ancient tree. It is especially popular for wedding couples to have a photograph seated together within its hollow, after their marriage in the Church. Walkers and cyclists find it a peaceful place for a rest with their refreshments.”
HISTORY
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A 13th century church, with a tree even older. The well known Yew grows on the south side. One month after the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953 the Reverend Graham Holly and Ernle Kyrle Pope of Homme House measured the girth of the tree. According to one Visitors’ Book for that year, at the height of 4 feet 6 inches from ground level, the girth was 30 feet and 1 inch. As mentioned above in 2006 the tree was again measured. At the same height from ground level, the girth had increased to 30 feet and 11 inches.
The Parochial Church Council have a certificate stating that the tree is at least 1500 years old.
Yews have long been associated with churchyards in Britain, particularly because of their symbolic links to eternity and immortality. In ancient times, they were considered sacred, with some yews believed to have been planted on the sites of pre-Christian pagan worship. In the case of the Much Marcle Yew, it is thought that the tree could have been standing long before Christianity took root in England, and may have been a focal point for spiritual activities.
The yew tree’s extraordinary age means it has been a silent witness to much of Britain’s history.
Beyond its symbolic and historical significance, the Much Marcle Yew is also ecologically important. Yews are long-living trees, and their resilience makes them a key feature in Britain’s ancient landscapes. The tree supports a diverse ecosystem, providing habitat for various species of wildlife, and its hardy nature exemplifies the yew’s importance in both cultural and environmental heritage – Kate Burton, Atlas Obscura, October 2024
Tree Weaver 