Yew

Yew is a rare and highly prized hardwood known for its warm reddish-brown heartwood contrasted with creamy pale sapwood, creating striking visual appeal in every piece. Native to Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, Yew is celebrated for its tight grain, fine texture, and natural elasticity, making it a favorite among artisans for projects requiring precision, durability, and elegance.

This versatile hardwood machines, turns, and sands beautifully, taking a smooth finish that highlights its natural color and subtle figuring. Its hardness, dimensional stability, and unique aesthetic make Yew perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, bow-making, small turned objects, and fine inlays. Each piece showcases the distinctive color contrast and natural figure that make Yew instantly recognizable.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Taxus baccata (European Yew) / Taxus brevifolia (Pacific Yew)

Family: Taxaceae

Origin: Europe, North America, Asia

Common & Trade Names

Yew, European Yew, Pacific Yew, English Yew, Heartwood Yew

Workability & Characteristics

Dense and moderately hard

Fine, straight to slightly interlocked grain

Excellent for turning and carving

Polishes to a smooth, lustrous surface

Elasticity suitable for bows and tensioned objects

Health & Safety Note

Yew wood contains toxic compounds (taxanes) in the heartwood and leaves. Dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Use proper dust extraction, respirator, and gloves when handling or machining. Avoid ingestion of any wood material.

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