The writer Hugh Fife suggests that juniper was sometimes referred to as mountain yew. As such some place names incorporating the Gaelic word Iubhair (yew) may in fact be referring to juniper. People have known the practical uses of juniper for millennia. It is perhaps surprising then that it doesn’t have a strong presence in ancient mythology.
What kind of tree is a yew tree?
Yew Shrub. It is even believed that the ancient (and mythical) Yggdrasil tree of Norse mythology was a yew tree. These plants are tolerant of many conditions—from drought and shade to sun and moist soil. With a little annual maintenance, you can keep these shrubs shaped into all sorts of different designs.
What is a juniper tree?
The junipers include roughly 60 different species of trees and shrubs in the Juniperus genus, within the cypress ( Cupressaceae) family of plants. Although come junipers use the work cedar in their common names, these plants are not members of the Cedrus genus.
Do yew trees grow in central New York?
Yews are also the only coniferous evergreen in Central New York landscapes that produce fleshy fruits, which are bright red fruit on female plants.
Do juniper trees have berries or cones?
While the female fruits appear to be berries, they are actually fused cones. The cones of the common juniper (Juniperus communis) provide the flavoring for gin. Juniper fruits are also used as a spice in cooking. WARNING: Don't plant a juniper in your yard if there are apple trees in your yard or within a mile or two.
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What kind of plant is a yew?
coniferous evergreen shrubsYews (Taxus) are a varied group of coniferous evergreen shrubs and trees that produce seed cones called yew berries. Depending on the variety you choose, yews are typically used as a hedge, screen, or specimen plant. The shrubs can grow in most sunlight conditions, which makes these very adaptable to any area.
What is a yew tree called?
Common names: yew, common yew, English yew. Scientific name: Taxus baccata.
Why is yew so poisonous?
The toxicity of yew leaves is due to the presence of alkaloids known as taxines, of which taxine B is suspected as being one of the most poisonous. Taxines are also known to be present in the bark and seeds of yew, but are absent from the fleshy red arils.
Why is yew associated with death?
Superstitious monks, he continues, believed that the yew could drive away devils. Its roots, he thought, were poisonous because they will “run and suck nourishment” from the dead, whose flesh is “the rankest poison that could be.”
What family are yews in?
YewsTaxus / FamilyTaxaceae, the yew family, in the order Pinales, containing 6 genera and 30 species of evergreen trees and shrubs, distributed mainly in the Northern Hemisphere.
Is yew poisonous to touch?
All parts of yew are deadly poisonous, except for the flesh of the berry.
Why are yew trees planted in cemeteries?
Yew berries are poisonous to animals and so these trees were planted in graveyards so stop the animals getting at them and falling ill.
What happens when you eat a yew berry?
Eating these berries - even if you are not allergic - causes the sensation of being very thirsty after about 15 to 30 minutes. Of course, the more you eat, the more noticeable this is. Growing this plant in your home garden: For detailed growing instructions, go to my Wild Foods Home Garden website Yew page.
How many yew needles are fatal?
The taxine alkaloid is absorbed through the digestive tract very rapidly, and the signs of poisoning manifest themselves after 30 to 90 minutes. An infusion made from 50 to 100g of needles is considered to be fatal [3–5], as no antidote is known.
What does a yew tree symbolize in Christianity?
Trees and the yew in particular symbolised nature's power of renewal, the cycle of seasons, birth and death and new birth. As time passed the yew remained a symbol of eternity in Christianity. The words and focus changed from 'rebirth' to 'resurrection'.
What do the Christians believe about yew trees?
There was another reason for Christians to view yews as holy: the heart of the tree is red, while its sap is white. These colours symbolise the blood and body of Christ. As a hardy evergreen tree able to survive on infertile soil, the yew also suggested rebirth and resurrection.
Is it unlucky to cut down a yew tree?
At Easter time yew branches were/are used to decorate the churches to act as a symbol of the triumph of life over death and of life in the after world. Such was the respect given to the yew tree that it was deemed unlucky to ever cut down a churchyard yew or to cause it any damage to its branches.
Why do they grow yew trees in graveyards?
The bark, the leaves and the seeds of yew trees are highly poisonous to cattle, horses, sheep and other domestic livestock as well as people, especially children; only the red fleshy seed covering is not poisonous, hence yew trees were planted in churchyards so that common folk did not graze their livestock on Church ...
What does a yew tree symbolize in Christianity?
Trees and the yew in particular symbolised nature's power of renewal, the cycle of seasons, birth and death and new birth. As time passed the yew remained a symbol of eternity in Christianity. The words and focus changed from 'rebirth' to 'resurrection'.
What do the Christians believe about yew trees?
There was another reason for Christians to view yews as holy: the heart of the tree is red, while its sap is white. These colours symbolise the blood and body of Christ. As a hardy evergreen tree able to survive on infertile soil, the yew also suggested rebirth and resurrection.
Is it unlucky to cut down a yew tree?
At Easter time yew branches were/are used to decorate the churches to act as a symbol of the triumph of life over death and of life in the after world. Such was the respect given to the yew tree that it was deemed unlucky to ever cut down a churchyard yew or to cause it any damage to its branches.
What is the name of a yew tree?
Yew’s Gaelic name is iubhair or euair. Gaelic place names can often tell us about the past distribution of different tree species. However, making deductions about yew’s distribution from place names bearing its name is difficult. This is because these words can also refer to juniper, which was sometimes known as mountain yew.
Where is the yew tree?
The tree seems to have been rare in the Highlands for a long time. Even so Clan Fraser adopted a sprig of yew as their clan badge. Mayo (Maigh Eo) in Ireland translates to Plains of Yew Trees, was the largest yew tree forest in the known world, and the place name for that region is older than the Greeks explorers who preceded the Roman conquest ...
What wood was used in the Hundred Years War?
The very hard, close-grained wood was used in furniture making. But yew wood is perhaps best known as the material from which the medieval English longbows were made. Archers used these to devastating effect during the Hundred Years War. The Scots too used yew longbows and Robert the Bruce ordered bows to be made from the sacred yews at Ardchattan Priory in Argyll. These were then used during the Scots’ victorious battle at Bannockburn in 1314.
How old is the Fortingall Yew?
Estimates suggest the Fortingall yew in Glen Lyon could be anything from over two thousand to nine thousand years old.
Is yew tree rare?
In fact very old specimens of yew trees are now rare outside of church grounds. According to Richard Mabey in his Flora Britannica “… no other type of ancient tree occurs so frequently inside church grounds …”. This relationship between places of worship and a single tree species is unique in the Western world.
Is yew a tincture?
The yew’s toxicity has somewhat limited its practical uses to humans, though a homoeopathic tincture is made of young shoots. The berry flesh has been used by herbalists to treat a variety of ailments including cystitis, headache and neuralgia.
Do yew trees grow in churches?
In some cases people have planted yew trees beside churches. In other cases it seems that very old yews were already growing on a site before the church was built there. Some, such as the one beside Fortingall’s church may even predate Christianity itself.
What is a yew tree?
It is even believed that the ancient ( and mythical) Yggdrasil tree of Norse mythology was a yew tree.
How many varieties of yews are there?
With more than 400 registered cultivars to choose from, you have plenty of options when it comes to yews. Originally, there were simply different species of yews available from varying different climates and regions. Today most yews commercially available are hybrids of several species. This allows them to have the best traits of many different parents, which makes them adaptable in more gardens.
Why do yews attract birds?
This is because the plant attracts birds to eat the fruit, and the seed coat of the single seed is hard enough that the digestive process of birds does not harm it. When the birds fly to a new area, they act as the dispersal method to help spread yew seeds around.
Why are yews toxic?
Yew plants create an extremely toxic compound in all parts of the plant, except for the fleshy red fruit they produce. This serves as a self-defense mechanism to help prevent animals from eating them. Except for a few animals that have adapted to the toxin and can eat them (sadly, deer are not susceptible to the toxin), this toxin will affect almost all animals. So be careful where you plant these shrubs.
Do yews like sun?
While yews are just as happy in part sun and can even grow fine in full shade, keep in mind that the more shade, the more regularly you'll need to prune to prevent loose and floppy growth. Part shade is beneficial for any gold-leafed varieties, and also provides some protection from winter burn on the foliage.
Do yews have flowers?
Yew Care Must-Knows. Because they are conifers, yews don't have flowers like many other plants do; they produce cones instead. Yew plants are separately male and female, so one shrub may be a male and produce only pollen, while another produces only fruit.
What is a Chinese Juniper?
One variety of the Chinese juniper ('Toruloso') is known as the Hollywood juniper. As it matures it creates an intriguing twisted form that works well as a specimen plant. There are many other varieties composed of different shapes and colors. The leaves on Chinese juniper are needle-like when the plants are young, but assume the shape of scales as the plant matures. This is one of the junipers with good tolerance for urban conditions, but it does not like wet soils.
What is a California Juniper?
California juniper is usually found as a large shrub in the Southwest, though it can sometimes grow to be a medium-sized tree in the wild. It features scale-like blue-gray leaves and reddish-brown cones. In landscaping, it is used to create wildlife habitats and in drought-tolerant gardening. It is very tolerant of alkaline soils and is often used to provide erosion control on dry slopes. It is also often used in bonsai.
What is the name of the tree that grows on rocky cliffs?
The Greek juniper is a large shrub or tree that is often found growing alongside the stinking juniper ( Juniperus foetidissima)— a species with a similar appearance but which is lighter green. These hardy trees can even grow on the sides of rocky cliffs. Like many junipers, the leaves on juvenile Greek junipers are needles that become flattened scales as the tree matures. The foliage is gray-green, and the trunks can be quite massive—up to 6 feet in diameter. The cones on female trees are purple-blue berries.
What is the name of the plant that makes gin?
It is generally the female plants that produce colorful berries, which are actually modified cones. The berry/cones of the common juniper ( Juniperus communis) provide the flavoring for gin.
Why is a juniper drooping?
Drooping juniper gets its name because of the way that the branchlets droop down. As juveniles, these upright trees have needle-like leaves that become flattened scales in the mature plants. This tree has a reddish-brown or gray bark that sheds in strips and the cones are greenish berries that mature into purplish-brown.
Why is a juniper tree called a drooping juniper?
Drooping juniper gets its name because of the way that the branchlets droop down. As juveniles, these upright trees have needle-like leaves that become flattened scales in the mature plants. This tree has a reddish-brown or gray bark that sheds in strips and the cones are greenish berries that mature into purplish-brown.
What is a red cedar tree?
Red cedar is a form of juniper that is especially fragrant, a quality that is sometimes used to repel insects (the wood is often used in cedar chests). This is an upright tree with dark blue-green scale-like foliage. The bark is gray to reddish-brown and often shreds in vertical strips; the trunk is sometimes fluted at the bottom. It is used as a specimen tree or in large screen plantings. Do not plant this tree near apple trees, as it is a host to cedar-apple rust fungus. Unlike many junipers, this tree has a fairly good tolerance for moisture, though it does not like to soak in boggy soil.
What is a Chinese Juniper?
Chinese juniper Juniperus chinensis A moderately tall, shrubby juniper with a pyramidal shape to it , a popular landscape tree with many cultivars available.
Where are Juniperus communis found?
Common juniper Juniperus communis is widespread throughout Eurasia and North America and is also found in Northern Africa. Savin Juniperus sabina. Although many junipers may be called savin, this is the Savin juniper, a shrubby tree that enjoys mountainous terrain native to Western Europe through Northern Asia.
What is gin made of?
Gin is made using juniper berries and they can also be used to make beer, brandy and wine. They are also a good seasoning for meats, particularly wild game and fatty meat. Juniper wood on the hot coals over which meat is cooked will enhance its flavor. The Navajo use juniper ash for preparing cornmeal.
Why was Juniper burned?
In Scotland, Juniper was burned for the needfyre when disease threatened 5 and for staining as well as in cattle sheds at the winter holidays to ensure their protection . In Central Europe, Juniper berries and rue were burned in Walpurgis Night to keep away “witches” 6.
What is juniper oil?
Oil of juniper steam distilled from the wood and leaves is called cade oil. Juniper berry oil is extracted from the berries. The oil is particularly delicate and prone to evaporation and should be kept tightly sealed in a cool place away from light. Juniper oil has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.
What do juniper leaves look like?
Junipers have flattish, prickly leaves that arrange themselves scale-like on a branch when they are mature- young leaves can be more needle-like (they look a bit like yew leaves). They have a unique cone structure.
When are Juniper berries ready to harvest?
Juniper berries are ripe when they are quite plump, dark green with the appearance of bluish dust on them. They are usually ready in early to mid-Autumn and you may find immature berries on a bush with mature berries as they can retain them for more than one year.
What is a yew seed?
Yew produces red arils— berry-like seed coverings. (I'll just call them "berries" for simplicity's sake.) They are fleshy, cup-shaped, and 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. The inside of the cup houses the brown seed, which is less than 1/4 inch in diameter.
Where does yew grow?
brevifolia ), also native, grows in Alaska, British Columbia and Alberta, southeast to Montana, southwest to Northern California, and back north up the Pacific Coast. The native Florida yew ( T. floridana) is limited to Florida. Yew grows in shady areas in moist forests.
What is the difference between yew and fir?
Other needle-bearing trees could be mistaken for yew, but of those, firs ( Abies spp.) are the most probable. Like yew, firs have single flat-shaped needles that are arranged in two lateral rows on the branch. Unlike yew, the needles are blunt-tipped or notched. Furthermore, firs are trees— not shrubs— so they grow much taller than yew (reaching heights of 85 feet) and have a single trunk with resin-filled pockets. The overall shape of the tree is sharply triangular.
What is a common juniper?
Common juniper ( Juniperus communis) is a spreading shrub with sharp-pointed needles that grow in whorls of three. (Those of yew grow in two rows.) Furthermore, juniper produces dry, blue berries, unlike the red, fleshy berries of yew. Close-up of common juniper. Ettore Balocchi / Juniperus communis / CC BY 2.0.
How big does a yew bush get?
Canada yew is a midsize shrub, reaching heights of six feet. But what it lacks in height it makes up for in width; it can spread as wide as 100 feet through a process of clonal reproduction. Both Pacific yew and Florida yew grow much larger, reaching heights of 18 and 50 feet, respectively.
How long do yew leaves last?
As an evergreen species, yew has needle-like leaves that persist for about two years. They grow singly, are arranged in two lateral rows along the branch, are 1/2 to 1 inch in length, flat-shaped, and have sharp, pointed tips. Needles and berry of yew.
How long are yew strobili?
Strobili are cones (about 1/8 inch long in the case of yew) that produce pollen and/or ovules, depending on the sex. In yew, male and female strobili grow separately; the male strobili pollinate the female, which eventually mature into arils (berries).
What was the euphemism for the juniper tree?
There was a phrase used in Lothian in the Middle Ages of giving birth “under the savin ( juniper) tree ”. This was a euphemism for juniper-induced miscarriage. Practical uses of the juniper’s wood are few, and it was most commonly used to burn. This wasn’t so much for its heat, but rather for its smoke.
Why are juniper berries used in food?
Similarly juniper berries may also have been added to food for their medicinal properties. They were said to aid digestion and to be a cure for various stomach ailments. The earliest recorded medicinal use of juniper berries occurs in ancient Egypt. A papyrus dating back to 1500 BC contains a recipe to cure tapeworm infestations. The Romans too used the berries for purification and stomach ailments. The mediaeval herbalist Culpeper recommended them for many conditions including flatulence.
What are ground berries used for?
Scottish and English recipes include ground berries added to sauces and especially to game dishes. They add a bitter, spicy flavour. People also used them to flavour bread and cakes in the north of England. The best known use of the berries is in flavouring gin, and indeed the words gin and juniper have a common root.
What is the name of a small shrub in Gaelic?
The Gaelic names for this shrub or small tree were Aittin or Aiten, and Samh. These words are still with us in place names such as Attadale in Wester Ross and Samhan near Mull. The writer Hugh Fife suggests that juniper was sometimes referred to as mountain yew. As such some place names incorporating the Gaelic word Iubhair (yew) ...
Why was Juniper burned?
It was burned for purification and to stimulate contact with the Otherworld at the Samhain festival at the start of the Celtic year. In central Europe juniper smoke played a part in the spring-time cleansing and casting out of witchcraft. Juniper was also burned during outbreaks of the Plague.
Where did juniper berries originate?
The earliest recorded medicinal use of juniper berries occurs in ancient Egypt. A papyrus dating back to 1500 BC contains a recipe to cure tapeworm infestations. The Romans too used the berries for purification and stomach ailments. The mediaeval herbalist Culpeper recommended them for many conditions including flatulence.
Can juniper berries be crushed?
The first two of these properties relate to the juniper’s berries. Strictly speaking these are in fact tiny fleshy cones. They can be crushed and ground for use, as one would do with a peppercorn, as well as pressed for any juice. Its culinary uses are many and varied.
What is a juniper?
Juniper. Juniper is any of the 50-70 species of aromatic conifers that belong to the genus Juniperus in the cypress family Cupressaceae. These conifers, when fully grown, usually resemble narrow columns. Despite being junipers, many coniferous trees like the Juniperus bermudiana (also commonly referred to as the Bermuda cedar) are called ‘cedars’.
What is the difference between juniper and sabina?
The section Juniperus, divided into several sub-sections, consists of needle-leaf junipers with the adult leaves arranged in groups of three while being fixed to the base. The section Sabina, on the other hand, includes scale-leaf junipers with the adult leaves arranged in groups of three or opposite pairs. Section Juniperus.
What is red cedar used for?
Red cedar timber is widely used for making closets and drawers, the berries are used as a spice in various culinary dishes and for flavoring in gin, these berries are also distilled for producing an essential oil, native American use it in traditional medicine, some species are used for bonsai and gardening.
Do juniper plants have pollen?
Monoecious juniper plants have a higher allergic potential. Completely male junipers release plenty of po llen that become airborne in drier regions and may cause irritation of lungs and skin.
How long are yew needles?
Rather, their needles are flat, mostly between three-quarters and one-inch long, dark green above and lighter green below without white stripes running the length of the lower surface of each needle. In the picture at left, a yew needle is larger than those of a balsam fir, far left, and hemlock, center.
What is the only evergreen shrub in Central New York?
With the exception of rare, dwarf hemlocks, yews are the only evergreen shrub you’ll find in Central New York landscapes that have flat needles held individually along the stem. Yews are also the only coniferous evergreen in Central New York landscapes that produce fleshy fruits, which are bright red fruit on female plants.
What is the name of the plant that grows fast and has a deep green foliage?
Yews (Taxus) Running a close second to junipers in popularity are the yews. Though not quite as diverse in habit as junipers they’re widely planted because of their availability, as well as for their deep green foliage, rapid growth (often eight to ten inches per year) and tolerance of severe pruning.
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