Wood Species Guide
European Yew
Taxus baccata
Also called: English Yew, Common Yew, Yew
About the name “European Yew”
"Yew" alone can mean this species or Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia), which has its own page. Most yew sold to turners in the US is one of these two.
What European Yew looks like
Heartwood is orange brown to reddish brown with darker streaks, sometimes purple tinted, and the sapwood is a sharply contrasting cream. It darkens with age.
Grain and texture
Tight, fine grain from slow growth, often wavy, with clusters of knots, burls and pin knots. It has a natural luster.
Working European Yew: planing, cutting and gluing
Dense and hard for a softwood. Wild grain and knots can tear out, so keep tools sharp and cuts light. It turns and carves beautifully and polishes well. Old trunks are often hollow or cracked.
Finishing European Yew: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Oil, wax and friction polishes bring out a deep orange glow. A UV-resistant finish slows darkening. Use epoxy or CA to fill small cracks after a seal coat; it bonds well to the dense wood.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Heartwood is durable to very durable and resists most insects. Movement is moderate, but large pieces check while drying. In Florida, keep finished pieces indoors and seal blanks well while they dry.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
European yew is the English longbow wood and a favorite of turners for its color and figure, especially burls. It comes in small sizes, often from old garden or churchyard trees. Treat the dust with respect and keep scraps away from animals. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for European Yew
Longbows, turned bowls and vessels, carving, veneer, furniture accents, musical instruments (lutes) and knife handles.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Rated Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Eye irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
- Nausea or headache
Yew plants contain toxic alkaloids and are poisonous if eaten. Yew dust is a known irritant, and nausea and headaches have been reported from working it.
- In the shop
- Full precautions: dust extraction, respirator, gloves; keep shavings from pets
- Food contact
- Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Almost all parts of the yew plant are poisonous if eaten. The wood dust is a reported irritant to eyes, skin and airways, and nausea and headaches have been reported. Use dust extraction, a respirator and gloves.
European Yew in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have European Yew listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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