Why are there only yew trees planted in grave/church yards?

feeky Chucka makes some sense. The rest appear to be guesswork.





The yew tree is a very long lasting tree and seen by ancient brits as the "tree of life" because it out-lived most people.





Its dense evergreen covering also provided shelter.





So, meeting and gathering would take place around and under the Yew tree. These turned into ritual and religous gatherings and hence turned into sacred ground...this became the logical place to then erect a building for service - therefore a church was always near a yew tree.





as the relationship grew, Yew trees were them also planted in church yards as the "tree of life"





'tis the accepted truth.





It seems likely those that mention roots have never felled a yew or ground away its roots. They are as big as anything else and can cause as much damage in my tree-surgery-experienced mind

Why are there only yew trees planted in grave/church yards?
Yew trees are very important amongst Pagans. Christians built churches near yew trees to try and convert the Pagans and get them to come into the church. That is why you will always see a Yew tree in a church yard.
Reply:It's about the roots not churning up graves, but yew's have got a kind of melancholy look about them. They're associated with death, maybe coz of how they look or maybe coz they're planted in grave yards, but they do look like they belong there. They're a funny old tree really, not very friendly looking.
Reply:In my local cementry there are, Oaks, Conifer, Yew, Larch, Ceders, Aurucaria, and even a palm tree or two!!
Reply:because those trees will not start to root and undermine the graves
Reply:Yew trees mark sacred ground.


They are evergeen, slow-growing and long-lived, and you would want to keep your livestock away from them because they are poisonous.
Reply:That is an untrue statement. Cemeteries including private, community and church owned and operated use many diferent types of bushes, trees, scrubs etc.


Perhaps the area you live in only uses yews but elsewhere anything goes.
Reply:Not true. All sorts of trees are used in cemeteries. Tree plantings in these locations are for beautification, aesthetics if you will; i.e. peaceful, quieting and sound absorbing for the benefit of the visitors. From the cemetery maintenance point of view -- they are a pain in the butt with falling leaves, branches, and require more time to mow the grass for dodging the trees.
Reply:http://www.geocities.com/ancientyew2003/...
Reply:Yew was used to make arrows, but it's poisonous to cattle, so inside the graveyard walls they can't get to eat it.
Reply:I've never noticed just yew trees planted in grave yards. Yew trees have an interesting history...Robin Hood was married to Maid Marian under a yew tree... There is also a chemical in yew trees called taxol that was tested several years ago for treatment of cancer.
Reply:It maybe due to the roots so they done penetrate the graves
Reply:Yew was a supple strong wood used to make long bows in times gone by, the churchyards were gathering points in towns and villages. The surrounding walls protected domsetic stock nimals from the poisonous yew.

Chemicals