Old tree

There was talk about a very old yew tree at the church at  Sidlesham, perhaps dating back to before the Christian era - which seemed a touch improbable, even if we suppose that the Christian era in question started in 500AD or so.

The only yew tree that I found is snapped left, and while tall was not particularly fat, which I expect in an old yew. See, for example, those at references 1 and 2.

However, checking with google, I find that there are indeed some very old yew trees in the area, at a place called Kingley Vale, on the other side of Chichester. According to wikipedia: 'Kingley Vale has one of Europe's most impressive yew forests. The forest contains yews as much as 2,000 years old, which are some of the oldest living organisms in Great Britain. Their survival is remarkable because most ancient yew trees across Europe were felled after the 14th century, being the preferred material for the staves of English longbows'.

Something to be checked more carefully when we next visit.

Reference 1: http://psmv3.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/dartington-snaps.html.

Reference 2: http://psmv2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/tweetree-2.html.

Group search key: ewb.