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"Yew" have to see this this specimen...

Joined
Aug 13, 2025
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Location
Loveland, CO
Got back from Ireland yesterday. One of the many great sites we saw was the Muckross Abby, a medieval Franciscan Friary dating back to the 1400's (and built on top of even older old Irish ruins from the 5th century, C.E.)

One of the great features of the site is a massive yew tree.

The tree is said to be from the 1400's, and was planted (or existed) at the time the abby was built. It is purported to be the oldest and largest living yew tree in Ireland. The images here don't do it justice - some of the branches eastly eclipsed the 4th story. It would take 4 of me to hug around that trunk!

It is not too often I see amazing wood and turning it doesn't cross my mind. This is one of those times. The tree is so majestic - I hope it lives another 600 years.
 

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I would think the trunk would not be good for making long bows out of.... I have seen some beautiful colors in yew, more so in older trees, purples and reds.

robo hippy
 
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