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Taxus baccata L.

A majestic specimen about 700 years old, it is very likely the oldest yew of its limited Sicilian population, mostly located in this area, called Bosco Tassita.

The plant grows 220 yards from the entrance gate of the above mention wood, in the “protection zone A” of the Nebrodi Park. This yew is 39.3-ft tall, with a circumference of about 13.7 ft at 4.5 ft from the ground. The foliage is about 42 x 46-ft wide.

The stem is sturdy, ribbed and showing reddish bark covered by plaques, moss and lichens that extend into all the branches of the canopy. The first branch starts at 4.9 ft from the ground, facing west. The northbound one appears incomplete but shows several vital ramifications.
The foliage tends to be subspherical.

The vegetative and sanitary conditions are mediocre, despite brown caries on the trunk and the branches, as well as some senseless cuts on the trunk.

How to reach it

Travel along the SP 168 Caronia – Capizzi road, then follow the track from Portella dell’Obolo to Bosco Tassita. After entering the wood, walk along the path for about 220 yards.

Botanical Card:

This species is usually found as a polycormic evergreen shrub. It is most abundant in Europe and Asia, but it also grows in some parts of North Africa.

Yews grow along the temperate mountain belt where winters are snowy, but not too cold, while summers are usually warm. It’s a sciophilous species that thrives in shade, prefers calcareous soils and never grows alone in a forest, as it’s usually found among beeches, maples and conifers at heights between 984ft and 5.250 ft.

This species is toxic, as seeds and leaves contain taxine, an extremely poisonous alkaloid.
Only fruits and fleshy arils are edible and highly appreciated by birds.
Due to its toxicity and difficulty of dosage, any potential pharmaceutical use would not be feasible.

The yew has a very slow growth and for this reason, it often grows with the shape of a shrub; in optimal conditions, however, it can reach 49-65 ft in height. In some Italian regions, it is considered a protected species. It is widely used in gardens as an ornamental hedge or as an isolated plant. It tolerates pruning very well and in the Roman Age, it was already pruned according to “ars topiaria” (“topiary”) criteria.

The wood is used for cabinetry, thanks to its acclaimed features: elasticity, toughness, heaviness and hardness.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)