#21 yew (Taxus sp.)
Easily mistaken
for eastern hemlock, yew is a shrub or small tree that could grow up to
30m high and several hundred years old. Only Canada yew that could be
found in eastern Canada. Nonetheless, yew has a wide range of usage. Its
wood is used for canoe paddles, tool handles and carved ornaments. In
Middle Age, it was prized for archery bows. Yews are planted for landscape
purpose especially in urban area because they could withstand urban pollution
but not road salt. the needles and seed are poisonous but Taxol, a natural
product of needles, bark, twigs is a potent anti-cancer drug.
Summer
Tree
Winter
tree
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