AT A GLANCE
Where is the oldest yew tree in the world?
The oldest yew tree in the world is the Fortingall Yew in Scotland, which is estimated to be around 2000 years old. This also makes it the oldest tree in Europe, although other such ancient yews probably exist, but in limited numbers.
Where is the oldest yew tree in the world located?
There are a few in Europe yew trees, estimated to be at least 1500 years old. Some estimates even speak of 2000 to 4000 years.
Since it is so difficult to determine the age of yew trees, such statements should be treated with caution.
also read
The so-called Fortingall Yew, which is located in a Scottish churchyard, is considered to be probably the oldest yew tree in the world. The age of this specimen is estimated at around 2000 years, which also makes the yew the oldest tree in Europe. There are probably other yew trees of this age, but their number is likely to be very limited.
Which is the oldest yew tree in Germany?
The "Alte Eibe von Balderschwang" in the Allgäu is the oldest yew tree in Germany. There are very different age statements for this specimen, ranging between 800 and even 4000 years. However, an age between 800 and 1500 years is considered realistic, which still makes the tree probably the oldest tree in Germany. This would make the Balderschwang yew even older than the various "1000-year-old" oaks and linden trees that can be found everywhere. Today the tree is a solitary tree, but it probably used to grow in a dense forest that was cut down in the Middle Ages.
Why is it so difficult to determine the age of a yew tree?
Typical of old yew trees is the hollow trunk, as the wood rots over time. Counting the annual rings is therefore not possible to determine the age, which is why tree researchers have to resort to estimates based on the trunk circumference and the growth height. However, these can only be very rough estimates, since the growth in height and thickness of the trees can vary greatly due to environmental influences. A comparatively small and narrow tree can therefore be older than a particularly impressive specimen if the site conditions differ significantly.
Why is the yew threatened with extinction?
In the Middle Ages, yew trees were increasingly cut down in many regions of Europe, so that around the end of the 16th Century in Bavaria not a single copy was to be found. The wood, which is both hard and elastic, was used in particular for the construction of weapons (e.g. B. longbows) and musical instruments. In addition, the highly poisonous tree was often cut down to protect animals (e.g. B. horses, cattle, pigs, etc.) from a fatal one poisoning to preserve. For this reason, ancient yew trees are astonishing for two reasons: They survived the clear-cutting and were able to reach an unusually old age.
Tip
Yews are well suited as hedges
From approx. the 18th In the 19th century, yew trees were often planted in gardens and parks as a design element - for example as a hedge or topiary. The conifer tree is extremely pruning friendly and provides excellent privacy protection.
