Defynnog Yew

[1] An Iron Age date is suggested from the available dendrochronology and growth rate studies indicating that the yews are more probably around 2,500 years.

[4] Both trees have unusually extensive epicormic shoot growth coating the trunks in green leaves, a process that usually only occurs after physical damage to the bark or increased light levels.

[3] The trees have a number of epiphytes such as ferns, ivy, liverworts, lichens and mosses that are encouraged by the high humidity maintained by the leaf cover of this evergreen species.

David Bellamy used the same methods as he did when establishing the age of the Tisbury Yew in Wiltshire, including radiocarbon dating.

[12] The local church, Grade I listed building dedicated to Saint Cynog, is mainly Norman in date,[13] but the porch houses an ancient stone with Latin and ogham inscriptions.

Yews are native to Wales and being extremely poisonous to stock and humans many have been dug up or planted within stock-proof enclosures such as churchyards where they commonly occur.