Photo of Yew tree, Much Marcle church, Herefordshire, Much Marcle, Herefordshire. Part of the Herefordshire Travel Guide on Britain Express

Kingley Vale is the site of one of the most impressive natural yew woods in Europe. This national nature reserve is nestled in a south-facing valley in the chalk hills of the South Downs. (Google M…

Waverley Abbey’s 500-year-old ‘living legend’ wins contest, as experts seek greater protection for ancient trees

Have you ever heard of the five Guardian Trees of Ireland? According to Irish folklore, these trees sheltered each of the five provinces. The first tree is Eó Mugna, an Oak tree, followed by Bile Tortan, an Ash tree. The third tree is Eó Ruis, a Yew tree, while the fourth and fifth trees are Craeb Daithí and Craeb Uisnig, both Ash trees. Legend has it that these trees grew from seeds given by a descendant of the otherworld. They were said to possess mystical powers that protected the land…

In this weekly series, readers tell us about their favourite trees. This week: a yew in Wales

The oldest living Yew tree in Europe is said to be the Fortingall Yew in Scotland, near Loch Tay and it has been estimated to be between 3,000 and 9,000 years old. The Celts associated the Yew with everlasting life. The Druids believed in the 'natural law of reincarnation' where the soul becomes reborn as another person. The Yew was seen as a protector of the soul during the journey to the Otherworld. Its needles were also used in rituals to communicate with the dead.

A familiar site in churchyards, yew is a species able to live for thousands of years.