This week, God loves yew
Church communities across Suffolk are being encouraged to help protect historic churchyard yews by adding them to a national database.
Why it matters: Ancient yew trees are internationally important but have largely vanished from Britain's countryside, making churchyard specimens crucial for preservation.
The big picture: Caring For God's Acre, a conservation charity, is running 'Love Your Yew Week' from 8-14 February, with the Church of England in Suffolk participating by urging parishes to register their yews with the Ancient Yew Group's national index.
By the numbers: At least one Suffolk church is already taking action:
- St Martin's in Fornham St Martin, a Bronze Eco Church since 2019, maintains multiple yew trees
- The church received a donated Millennium Yew in 2000
What they're saying: "Churchyards are important green spaces, enriching a community's biodiversity and providing a home for a wide range of wildlife," said James Rolls, Net Zero Officer at the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
For context: There are several theories about why yews are common in UK churchyards:
- They may have been planted to deter cattle
- Their wood was historically used for longbows
- They symbolise eternity, connected to the Tree of Life in religious beliefs
The bottom line: Harriet Carty, Director of Caring for God's Acre, said: "The ancient and veteran churchyard yews of Britain are internationally important and need our care." Church communities across Suffolk can register their yew trees by visiting www.ancient-yew.org.
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