Farringdon Yew Tree appeal
By Ancient Tree Forum
Farringdon Yew Tree appeal
Help us to save Farringdon’s Ancient “Exceptional” Yew Tree
The 3,000 year-old ancient yew tree in the Hampshire village of Farringdon is at risk. A campaign to raise funds to keep the tree alive for future generations has been launched.
The South East of England is fortunate to have one the highest concentrations of ancient and veteran yew trees in the United Kingdom. Located primarily in Hampshire, West and East Sussex, and numbering fewer than 200 in total, the trees are of significant importance as they range between 1,000 and 3,000 years in age.
The ancient yew tree in village of Farringdon, in the north east corner of Hampshire, is considered by arboriculturists to be one of the ten most important trees in the UK. With documents stating that the tree is 3,000 years old, it is recorded in the Ancient Tree Inventory as a tree of National Special Interest. Measuring 9.27m (30ft 6in) at its narrowest point, the ancient yew tree is to be found in All Saints churchyard in the heart of the village. The 12th century church and its grounds are a popular stopping-off point for ramblers, residents and visitors to this ancient village, which lies in the South Downs National Park.
Farringdon Yew Tree (photo credit: Luke Spear)
However, the health of the tree is now a cause of considerable concern. Several sections of the tree are in a fragile condition and will require an artificial support system. Furthermore, over many centuries the ground has become compacted due to pedestrian use so measures need to be taken to improve the quality of the soil that is essential to healthy root growth.
In 2019, All Saints Parochial Church Council (PCC), which looks after the church grounds and fabric of the church, commissioned an extensive Condition and Management Report into the health of the tree. This followed the collapse of a major bough under the weight of snow during the winter. In order to stabilise the bough, a temporary wood structure was erected, and this has helped the bough to continue showing signs of life. The results of the Report indicated that the soil in which the tree is growing was compacted and sub-optimal for healthy growth of tree roots. Soil compaction can reduce significantly the amount of oxygen getting to the tree roots. Furthermore, it recommended that the structural integrity be assessed and, if necessary, a support system be designed to reduce the risk of mechanical failure.
Acting on these recommendations, the PCC initiated a Save the Yew Tree Campaign, in November 2019, in order to raise the funds necessary to undertake the recommendations. The first phase of the campaign was to raise funds to cover the costs of the report and the scientific analysis of the compacted ground. With the help of The Woodland trust and East Hampshire District Council, together with contributions from All Saints PCC and local residents, this has been successful. The second phase of the campaign now starting is to raise the funds to cover the costs of de-compacting the soil, restoring the nutritional value of the soil and designing and installing a discrete support system for the tree.
The English yew tree is one of Britain’s oldest native species and was held sacred in pre-Christian times. Because of their longevity and ability to regenerate – old drooping branches can root and form new trunks – the yew tree has become a symbol of death and resurrection. It is possible that the All Saints church was built on a pagan site of worship or burial ground. Yew trees are commonly associated with such sites. What is certain is that the Farringdon yew tree predates the arrival of Christianity.
Over the centuries the Farringdon Yew, and also the 1,500 year old yew close by in the churchyard, have been written about in many books and journals. The world famous naturalist, Gilbert White, when curate of All Saints in the 18th century, mentioned in his journal of January 6th 1781, chapter xiv that: ‘In the churchyard are two male yew trees, the largest of which measures 30 feet in girth’.
Naturalist and ornithologist, William Henry Hudson, writing in Hampshire Days 1903 reported that: ‘The Farringdon yew in its biggest part, about five feet from the ground, measures thirty feet, and to judge by its ruinous condition it must have ceased adding to its bulk more than a century ago. It has in its usual manner decayed above and below, the upper branches dying while the trunk rots away beneath, the tree meanwhile keeping itself alive and renewing its youth, as it were, by means of that power which the yew possesses of saving portions of its trunk from complete decay by covering them inside and out with new bark. The Farringdon tree has decayed below in this way; long strips from the top to the roots have rotted and turned to dust; and the sound portions, covered in and out with bark, form a group of half a dozen flattened boles, placed in a circle, all but one, which springs from the middle and forms a fantastically twisted column in the centre of the edifice. Between this central strangely shaped bole, now dead, and in the surrounding ring there is a space for a man to walk around’.
By the year 1952, the ‘fantastically twisted column in the centre was gone’. Today visitors to the churchyard marvel at the hollow centre and wonder just how the tree continues to grow. But grow it does, which is why it is so important that this nationally important tree is not allowed to deteriorate any further. To ignore its plight would be a dereliction of duty to the heritage of UK and to future generations.
Working with suitably qualified arboricultural consultants and engineers, a programme of works has been agreed, the cost of which will be £8,000. Members of the Farringdon community have already started a number of fund-raising initiatives at a local level, but support will be needed from organisations that are dedicated to preserving the nation’s environment and heritage.
If you would like to find out how contribute to this campaign, please contact:
Bryan Orchard, All Saints Farringdon PCC
Email: info@bryanorchardpr.co.uk
Photographs courtesy of Luke Spear
All Saints Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission. There are no related trusts or charities. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules and members of the PCC are elected from those on the Electoral Roll. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the church fabric and co-operates with the incumbent, the Reverend Tony Pears, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish and benefice the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
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