European Yew
Taxus baccata
Hardness
Hard and durable; stands up to wear and traffic.
Overview
An unusually dense, flexible softwood historically prized for longbows and now for turning and fine furniture accents.
Commonly built
- Turned bowls
- Furniture accents
- Walking sticks
Appearance
Orange-brown heartwood with a pale yellow sapwood band, often kept in furniture for contrast.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Dense and springy for a softwood; bends well and holds a crisp edge when carved. Contains irritant compounds, use dust collection.
Common questions
How hard is European Yew?
European Yew has a Janka hardness of 1520 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is European Yew suitable for outdoor use?
European Yew stands up reasonably well outdoors, especially with a protective finish and regular maintenance.
How easy is European Yew to work with?
European Yew has Fair workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used european yew, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.