Common Yew Natural Monument

The common yew (Taxus baccata) at Przelewice is protected as a natural monument. This conifer can grow as either a tree or a large shrub.

It belongs to the yew family and occurs naturally in Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. It grows best in a mild climate with high humidity and abundant rainfall. It is sensitive to frost and drought but tolerates both sun and shade. At Przelewice it benefits from a mild climate that also supports many frost-sensitive plants in the arboretum.

Yew seeds have a hard coat surrounded by a fleshy red aril containing about 20% sugars. Birds eat the arils and help disperse the seeds. The seeds and needles are poisonous to humans. Even though the seed is enclosed in a red aril, it still contains toxic substances and must not be eaten. Yews grow slowly and can live a very long time: some specimens reach 1,000-2,000 years.