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English Yew

Taxus baccata

Also known as: European Yew, Common Yew

Technical Spec Sheet

2026-07-14

English Yew wood grain

Reference grain swatch

Janka Hardness
870 lbf (3,870 N)
Avg. Dried Weight
670 kg/m³ (42 lb/ft³)
Specific Gravity
0.67
Type
Softwood
Grain
Usually straight, sometimes irregular with attractive figure
Texture
Fine and even
Durability
Very durable, excellent resistance to decay
Region
Europe
Sustainability
Caution — Slow growing, limited commercial availability, often from salvaged trees

Overview

English Yew is an extraordinary softwood prized for its unique combination of hardness, elasticity, and beauty, famous throughout history as the wood of the English longbow. With distinctive reddish-brown heartwood contrasting against pale sapwood and remarkable durability, it has been revered since ancient times, though its extreme toxicity and slow growth make it rare and precious.

The heartwood is striking reddish-brown with pale yellow sapwood creating dramatic contrast. With a fine, even texture and density of 670 kg/m³ dried, it has a remarkable Janka hardness of 870 lbf, harder than many true hardwoods. The wood combines exceptional strength with unusual elasticity for its density.

Workshop Notes

Blunting Effect

Moderate - hard for a softwood

Gluing

Excellent gluing properties

Finishing

Excellent - takes finishes beautifully, natural color contrast is striking

Steam Bending

Exceptional steam bending characteristics, traditional bowyer's choice

Scent

Mild, no distinctive odor, though dust is toxic

Assessment

Strengths

  • Exceptional hardness for softwood
  • Very durable
  • Beautiful contrasting colors
  • Excellent bending properties
  • Fine texture

Weaknesses

  • All parts of tree are toxic
  • Limited availability
  • Expensive
  • Slow growing

Common Uses

Longbows · Fine furniture · Turned items · Musical instruments · Decorative veneer · Carving