Church in Wales looks to protect ancient yew trees

The Churuch in Wales has launched a campaign to help protect yew trees, some of which are more than 5,000 years old. Wales is one of the most significant places in Europe for ancient and veteran yew trees and most of them are found in churchyards. In fact, according to a survey by the Ancient Yew Group, the Church in Wales owns 334 yew trees which are more than 500-years-old – which is a bit like owning 95% of all the Grade 1 listed buildings in Wales. Keen to protect such a precious heritage for future generations, the church is joining forces with two organisations during Cherishing Churchyards Week (June 7-15) to raise awareness of yews and encourage their sensitive care and management. Alex Glanville, head of property services at the Church in Wales, said: "It is incredible to think that some of the yew trees in our churchyards are older than our faith itself – dating back thousands of years. "Dating these trees is very difficult given the yew’s unique ability to regenerate itself from the inside and through growing new stems from drooping branches. "One example at Defynnog in Powys is thought to have been planted 5,000 years ago and could be a contender for the oldest tree in Europe." The Church in Wales owns, within 203 of its churchyards 101 ancient yew trees (more than 800-years-old) and 233 veteran yew trees (more than 500-years-old). Website: http://www.churchinwales.org.uk

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