Nowadays, we mostly see the yew tree in cemeteries although they’re becoming more popular in garden centres this year. However, the yew used to be grown extensively all over Europe, because it was used for a variety of purposes including bows, carving, and basketwork.
Julius Caesar and Pliny both mention the toxicity of the plant. Caesar said that the British king, Catuvolcus, committed suicide by drinking the sap of the Yew tree and Pliny claimed that even sleeping or resting under the tree could be fatal, although the yew became harmless once a copper nail had been driven into it!
