Yew Tree Danger???

[Mark Bolam]

Worth remembering that berries also have a habit of falling off the tree.

It’s their job.

 

Denying access to the trees completely would seem to be the only option, other than removal.

 

 

[Mark J]

1 hour ago, peds said:

 

Someone else said that a few posts back, very interesting. I wonder if they are actually pleasant, though, and worth the hassle. Might nibble on one the next time I see a yew, and report back.

 

That's a fine looking climbing tree, perfect for youngsters to break their first bone in... or practice the avoidance thereof. 

I think you'd need a lot of them to extract much flavour. They're very gooey. They  don't make you think 'I'll make a point of foraging for these'. I think their sugar content is more aimed for birds to nibble on. 

 

If you do make 'Yew Stew' you should really post up the recipe..

Edited August 22 by Mark J

[Steven P]

I couldn't find the statistics but Yew poisoning is very rare. I did read that you need 0.6g / kg of body weight to kill you - it isn't going to be 1 berry or a couple of leaves, got to be a few (one report I read was about 50g killed a man). As above if I remember right, the seeds have to be broken - chewed or something else they pass through OK and don't taste nice.

 

But yew trees are not the only poisonous or unpleasant plant out there - so what to do, take all the trees and put them in a tree museum?

 

I'd be inclined to suggest signs along the lines of 'eating plants can cause poisoning' - education is my preferred route rather than sterilising the world.

 

 

Oh, and The Boys also have found some good yew trees to climb (among others) - but then, before they get hungry enough to try them it is usually time to find a coffee for me.

[daltontrees]

I believe the only part of the palnt that isn't poisonous is the arils (berries).

[dangb93]

As a child, myself and my brother ate many yew berries, we used to take the seed out first though. 

[peds]

1 hour ago, dangb93 said:

As a child, myself and my brother ate many yew berries, we used to take the seed out first though. 

 

Was that as a regular snack, or just for the craic, or what? How many at a time, fistfuls? 

 

I've just decided I'm going to make a batch of lacto-fermented hot sauce with just yew berries, red chillies, and salt. That should show the character of the fruit quite well.

It lends itself to such predictable names as "Are Yew Insane?!" or "Yew'll Regret This!"

I'll report back at some point in the future.

Edited August 23 by peds

[sime42]

On 23/08/2024 at 17:52, peds said:

 

Was that as a regular snack, or just for the craic, or what? How many at a time, fistfuls? 

 

I've just decided I'm going to make a batch of lacto-fermented hot sauce with just yew berries, red chillies, and salt. That should show the character of the fruit quite well.

It lends itself to such predictable names as "Are Yew Insane?!" or "Yew'll Regret This!"

I'll report back at some point in the future.

 

Looking forward to seeing this, interesting idea.

[peds]

1 hour ago, sime42 said:

Looking forward to seeing this, interesting idea.

 

I won't let you down boss. I pass dozens of lovely big yew at a nearby Holy Well, I'll keep an eye on them going into autumn.