Marefat Pardis Toos Team Visiting The Ancient Tree Species of the Northern Forests
Being a species of evergreen tree in the family Taxaceae, taxus baccata is native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. Originally it is known as yew, common yew, English yew, or European yew. Most parts of the plant are poisonous, and consumption of the foliage can result in death. In Iran, the tree is known as sorkhdār (literally “the red tree” due to the color).
Taxus baccata can reach 400 to 600 years of age and up.The potential age of yews is impossible to determine accurately since there is rarely any wood as old as the entire tree, while the boughs themselves often become hollow with age, making ring counts impossible.
This tree has attracted attention in recent years due to various reasons such as being an endangered species and containing a valuable substance called taxol, an expensive alkaloid used in chemotherapy and cancer treatment. Some developed countries cultivate these trees for their medical benefit. These trees are often cut down for Woodwork such as wooden ornaments in Iran. These trees are found in a high density and sometimes as pure stands.
In southwest Aliabad Katoul, Golestan province is one of the biggest sources of this tree in Iran. in Siah Rudbar people started to protect these ancient trees as a natural heritage. They have started an online campaign “I am a yew, too” (#Man Ham Yek sorkhdāram in Persian) to save these valuable resources.
Taxus baccata can reach 400 to 600 years of age and up.The potential age of yews is impossible to determine accurately since there is rarely any wood as old as the entire tree, while the boughs themselves often become hollow with age, making ring counts impossible.
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