- Species: Primarily refers to European Yew (Taxus baccata), with other species including Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) and various regional Taxus species.
- Origin: European Yew is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Western Asia, while Pacific Yew is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America.
- Durability: It has high natural durability, with heartwood very resistant to decay and insects, while the sapwood is less durable.
- Highlights: Dense, hard, and elastic with a fine grain, this wood has distinctive orange-brown to dark brown heartwood often streaked with darker tones, is valued for its toughness, flexibility, and smooth finish, and has long been highly prized for crafting longbows and fine woodworking.
- Form: Sawn timber, turning blocks, specialty wood.
- Grade: Select (very limited grading; mostly clear wood).
- Moisture: Typically kiln-dried to a moisture content of about (6 – 8%), which helps ensure stability and reduces the risk of warping for interior woodworking applications.
- Dimensions Available: Boards & Lumber: Thickness: 2.5 cm, 5 cm, 7.5 cm, 10 cm and custom thicker cuts / Width: 5 cm – 25 cm (wider pieces are less common due to the tree’s smaller size) / Length: Typically, 1.5 m to 3 m (Yew trees are smaller, so long clear lengths are rare). Dimensional Lumber: Often cut into smaller sections: 5×10 cm, 5×15 cm, 5×20 cm, 10×10 cm, 10×15 cm, large construction timbers are uncommon due to the limited size of the logs. Turning Blanks / Specialty Cuts: Yew is frequently sold as turning blanks, slabs, or small billets for fine woodworking rather than standard long boards. Panels / Veneers: Veneers: 0.5 mm to 2 mm thick, Panels (when available): 1.22 × 2.44 m sheets in thin laminated form.
- Janka Hardness: ~1,600 lbf (7,100 N) (unusual for a softwood).
- Grain: Tight grain, fine, irregular.
- Color: Rich orange-brown to dark reddish-brown.
- Water Resistance: Good, naturally resistant to moisture and decay due to dense structure.
- Certification: Rarely certified (limited commercial harvest).
- Outdoor Suitability: Good, durable outdoors, though limited availability makes it uncommon for large exterior projects.
- Indoor Suitability: Excellent, value for fine furniture, cabinetry, turnery, and decorative uses.
- Estimated Prices: Per Cubic Meter (m3) = ~US $1,500 – $4,000+ / Price per Piece = ~US $20 – $200+, Large live-edge slab = ~US $150 – $500+.
- Use Cases: Fine furniture and cabinetry. Turned objects, carving, and inlays. Tool handles and walking sticks. Historically used for longbows and musical instruments. Small decorative panels and veneer.
