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It is a small- to medium-sized [[evergreen]] [[tree]], growing {{convert|10|-|20|m}} (exceptionally up to {{convert|28|m|disp=/|abbr=on}}) tall, with a trunk up to {{convert|2|m}} (exceptionally {{convert|4|m|abbr=on|disp=/}}) diameter. The [[bark]] is thin, scaly brown, coming off in small flakes aligned with the stem. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[lanceolate]], flat, dark green, {{convert|1|-|4|cm}} long and {{convert|2|-|3|mm}} broad, arranged spirally on the stem, but with the leaf bases twisted to align the leaves in two flat rows either side of the stem, except on erect leading shoots where the spiral arrangement is more obvious. The leaves are highly poisonous.<ref name=rushforth/><ref name=afm2>Mitchell, A. F. (1972). ''Conifers in the British Isles''. Forestry Commission Booklet 33.</ref>
It is a small- to medium-sized [[evergreen]] [[tree]], growing {{convert|10|-|20|m}} (exceptionally up to {{convert|28|m|disp=/|abbr=on}}) tall, with a trunk up to {{convert|2|m}} (exceptionally {{convert|4|m|abbr=on|disp=/}}) diameter. The [[bark]] is thin, scaly brown, coming off in small flakes aligned with the stem. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[lanceolate]], flat, dark green, {{convert|1|-|4|cm}} long and {{convert|2|-|3|mm}} broad, arranged spirally on the stem, but with the leaf bases twisted to align the leaves in two flat rows either side of the stem, except on erect leading shoots where the spiral arrangement is more obvious. The leaves are highly poisonous.<ref name=rushforth/><ref name=afm2>Mitchell, A. F. (1972). ''Conifers in the British Isles''. Forestry Commission Booklet 33.</ref>
The [[conifer cone|seed cones]] are highly modified, each cone containing a single [[seed]] {{convert|4|-|7|mm}} long partly surrounded by a modified scale which develops into a soft, bright red [[berry]]-like structure called an [[aril]], {{convert|8|-|15|mm}} long and wide and open at the end. The arils are mature 6–9 months after pollination, and with the seed contained are eaten by [[thrush (bird)|thrushes]], [[waxwing]]s and other [[bird]]s, which disperse the hard seeds undamaged in their droppings; maturation of the arils is spread over 2–3 months, increasing the chances of successful seed dispersal. The seeds themselves are extremely poisonous and bitter, but are opened and eaten by some bird species including [[Hawfinch]]es<ref>http://wbrc.org.uk/WorcRecd/Issue%2020/hawfinch1.htm</ref> and [[Great Tit]]s.<ref>http://www.bto.org/gbw/PDFs/FocusOn/Focus_GRETI.pdf</ref> The aril is not poisonous, and is gelatinous and very sweet tasting. The male cones are globose, {{convert|3|-|6|mm}} diameter, and shed their [[pollen]] in early spring. It is mostly [[Plant sexuality|dioecious]], but occasional individuals can be variably [[Plant sexuality|monoecious]], or change sex with time.<ref name=rushforth/><ref name=afm2/><ref name=DJ>Dallimore, W., & Jackson, A. B. (1966). ''A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae'' 4th ed. Arnold.</ref>
The [[conifer cone|seed cones]] are highly modified, each cone containing a single [[seed]] {{convert|4|-|7|mm}} long partly surrounded by a modified scale which develops into a soft, bright red [[berry]]-like structure called an [[aril]], {{convert|8|-|15|mm}} long and wide and open at the end. The arils are mature 6–9 months after pollination, and with the seed contained are eaten by [[thrush (bird)|thrushes]], [[waxwing]]s and other [[bird]]s, which disperse the hard seeds undamaged in their droppings; maturation of the arils is spread over 2–3 months, increasing the chances of successful seed dispersal. The seeds themselves are extremely poisonous and bitter, but are opened and eaten by some bird species including [[Hawfinch]]es<ref>http://wbrc.org.uk/WorcRecd/Issue%2020/hawfinch1.htm</ref> and [[Great Tit]]s.<ref>http://www.bto.org/gbw/PDFs/FocusOn/Focus_GRETI.pdf</ref> The aril is not poisonous, and is gelatinous and very sweet tasting. The male cones are globose, {{convert|3|-|6|mm}} diameter, and shed their [[pollen]] in early spring. It is mostly [[Plant sexuality|dioecious]], but occasional individuals can be variably [[Plant sexuality|monoecious]], or change sex with time.<ref name=rushforth/><ref name=afm2/><ref name=DJ>Dallimore, W., & Jackson, A. B. (1966). ''A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae'' 4th ed. Arnold.</ref>
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
<gallery perrow=5>
Image:English Yew close 250.jpg|Foliage of Irish Yew; note the leaves spreading all round the erect shoots
Image:English Yew 600.jpg|An Irish Yew (''Taxus baccata'' 'Fastigiata')
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