Tree of the Month - December

December 14, 2024

The Yew, Taxus baccata, seems to grow taller in Britain than anywhere else in its European and West Asian range, and it is also the largest species in its genus, so whenever a new UK champion is measured this can be presented with some confidence as the tallest known yew in the world.

One of more than 500 completely new champion trees discovered in 2024 was a Yew 29.8 m tall in the woods below the arboretum at Dalzell House in North Lanarkshire, reported by tree surgeon Mark Foster. It's been christened 'Jacob', and its twin 'Esau' on the other side of the path becomes the second tallest known yew, being about 30cm shorter.

'Jacob' is the only national champion tree in North or South Lanarkshire.

 

Owen Johnson MBE VMM

(Photo: Mark Foster of www.markfostertreesurgery.co.uk)