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Thread: What to do with yew?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    What to do with yew?

    I have several large chunks of a yew shrub, which was cut down last fall. Not sure of the variety, it was a landscape planting and I'm pretty sure it's not native to this area (southern VT). This was some kind of upright shrub, with multiple trunks, and was planted in the early 1970's by my father on his property. The largest pieces are still attached to each other as multiple trunks, I have one piece that is almost 20" diameter and 24" long and a bunch of smaller pieces down to 2" diameter. All about 2' long. I hate to burn it in my woodstove because it is unique to me, there is nothing like this commercially available and it is from my own childhood. The wood is a beautiful reddish-orange color and hard as a rock (and heavy!).

    Any suggestions? I'm going to save it until I can figure out a use. Seems like it might be worth something to turners? Maybe as tool handles or accent pieces? I'm not going to get anything particularly large out of these chunks, whatever I do.
    Jon Endres
    Killing Trees Since 1983

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    Bellingham, WA
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    My mom used to ask me that all the time...

    I would say turning blanks for smaller pieces and saw the larger ones into solid stock for things like door or lid panels.
    JR

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Turning blanks and small project wood would be my choice...
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  4. #4
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    They used to make long bows from yew. It doesn't sound like your pieces would work for that purpose though.
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

  5. #5
    Yew is the traditional wood of choice for English Windsor chairs.

  6. #6
    Just finished reading a book where the author noted that crossbows were well able to make use of yew which wasn't suited for longbows (though w/ a splice at the handle, or when doing a 3-piece takedown one can make use of shorter lengths).

  7. #7
    It does turn nicely so pens or tool handles I'd say.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    Make whatever yew want.
    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

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