English Yew
Taxus baccata • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular due to its growth habit. The end grain shows very tight, narrow rings with high contrast between earlywood and latewood. Presence of small knots and inclusions is common.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically reddish or orange-brown, turning darker with age. Sapwood is a pale yellow or cream. The sample shows distinct, wavy boundaries between heartwood and the thin sapwood layer.
Hardness Rating
1,520 lbf (Hard) - highly unusual for a softwood, exceeding many hardwoods like Red Oak.
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot and decay, though susceptible to insect attack (common furniture beetle).
Common Uses
Luthiery (bows), fine furniture, turnery, tool handles, cabinetry, and small decorative items.
Geographic Origin
Western, Central and Southern Europe, Northwest Africa, and Northern Iran.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
High; $15.00 - $30.00 per board foot depending on figure and width/purity.
Wood Age Estimate
Based on the growth ring count in the cross-section, the branch or trunk is approximately 45-60 years old. The sample shows signs of recent harvesting due to fresh sapwood and bark moisture.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN), though old-growth stands are protected in many regions. Not currently CITES listed.
Workability
Generally easy to work despite its hardness. Finishes very smoothly. However, the presence of knots can cause tearout, and the dust is toxic.
Notable Features
Highly toxic (Taxine alkaloids); excellent elasticity (historically used for longbows); lack of resin canals; very fine texture.
Finish Recommendations
Takes all finishes well. High-gloss finishes like lacquer or oils (tung/linseed) enhance the orange-red hues and luster.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinct transition between the thin creamy sapwood and deep orange heartwood, combined with the tight ring structure and characteristic bark, is hallmark of Taxus species.