The best seeds are those that have been eaten by birds and have passed through them such bare seeds may be collected from under yew trees. Even if the flesh is removed, these may be slow to germinate. Many yews are single sex, but most Irish yews are female and so bear fruit.
This was cultivated at Florencecourt, and subsequently in many gardens and churchyards. Kerry is Ireland’s only native yew wood.Ī sport (unique form) of the Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘fastigata’) with very upright growth was originally found growing on rocky limestone hills in Co. Reenadina wood on the Muckross Peninsula, Co. The yew is native and may be found in old woods although it is often seen in the artificial surroundings of estates or churchyards.Īn evergreen conifer (although an unusual one), yew is a dramatic tree with its dark foliage and red berries encasing a single seed. These oak woods are found in Charleville, Co. It is generally associated with heavy lowland soils and can withstand wet soil in winter. The pedunculate or English oak is also considered to be a native tree. Oak trees do not produce a good crop every year, so it is worth gathering plenty in a good year. The male flowers of oak are borne on rather inconspicuous catkins, which come out just before the leaves, but the seeds – acorns – are far more obvious. It is commonly used in the making of furniture, for veneers and in the manufacture of casks. Oak has been harvested for its fine timber for centuries and is much prized for its visual qualities and durability. Very often, semi-natural oak woodlands contain a proportion of birch and ash, with hazel, holly and rowan scattered throughout the understorey. Once widespread throughout Ireland, centuries of harvesting, with few trees being replaced, means that truly native oak can be hard to find, though there are small woods in most counties. In nature, such hollow branches provide nest chambers for bumble bee larvae, and shelter for hibernating insects. The branches have a soft pithy centre that can be removed and a section used for a homemade flute or whistle.
Elder seeds germinate willingly and the tree will grow in most soils.īoth elder flowers and berries may be used in cooking and for making wine. However elder is a very good wildlife species, with its wide heads of creamy flowers followed by hanging clusters of dark red/black berries.Īs with all other species, the truly native variety has the most wildlife value (ornamental varieties are used in landscape planting). The idea of deliberately planting elder trees - which grow again if they are chopped down, and spread rapidly on waste ground - may seem incredible to older country people. In the wild, it may be associated with badger setts. Sometimes known as the Bour tree, this is common around the countryside and often found beside old farmhouses or byres, especially associated with old refuse tips or middens where it appreciates the extra nutrients in the soil.
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