Pacific Yew, useful?

[stromborg]

Making a long story short, a bit of land next to me is being cleared for a house and the owner asked permission to take out a few of my trees that were leaning over the build site. As it turns out one of those was a Pacific Yew, fairly straight and a bit over 12" in diameter at the base. Google turns up mostly medicinal uses, with the odd reference to making bows. Could it make a decent wood for building boats? I'm thinking the springiness might be good for tillers and as it is considered a hardwood maybe for rub rails.

Steve

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Making a long story short, a bit of land next to me is being cleared for a house and the owner asked permission to take out a few of my trees that were leaning over the build site. As it turns out one of those was a Pacific Yew, fairly straight and a bit over 12" in diameter at the base. Google turns up mostly medicinal uses, with the odd reference to making bows. Could it make a decent wood for building boats? I'm thinking the springiness might be good for tillers and as it is considered a hardwood maybe for rub rails.

Steve

Toxic, staggeringly durable, eye watering prices if bow quality.

[Bob Smalser]

Useful? Sure. Yew is one of the harder, heavier and more rot resistant softwoods.

But it's small, so tillers, boat hook shafts and the like are all it will support. And nothing too long, either. The log may be relatively straight, but the fact that it was leaning over your neighbor's property instead of growing straight means it probably has some reaction wood that will cause it to warp in service.

If it will produce a clear lower log of six feet or more, instead of sawing it I'd split it into wedge-shaped balks using a sledge hammer and steel wedges. The outer section of those wedges containing 50-50 sapwood-heartwood are valuable as bow-making blanks. You can have your tiller, a few boat hooks and pay for your time in the bargain.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yew-English-...item43a93b799e

[Jay Greer]

Aside from those virtues mentioned by Bob, yew is a spectacular wood when used for fine furniture construction. It will take a French polish that once finished will produce an irridescent depth of grain that is absolutly stunning!
Even so, it is best used with restraint in boat construction due to its small log diameters which will produce only components of small scantlings. Good for cleets, ect.
Jay

[Barry]

Alex low framed his "Cockle" with steam bent Pacific Yew.

http://www.alexlow.ca/dc004/

[goodbasil]

Had a friend turn a mallet from the stuff, he was very pleased with it. Also took a ton of it to get enough for a counter top in a boat.
Supposed to be used in fighting cancer.
Stuff used for bows is not Pacific Yew as I understand, that is the stuff from Europe.
Loggers here used to "slash-cut" it and leave it to rot to get at the big cedars and firs.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Both of the yews are used in bowmaking....

http://www.diyarchery.co.uk/index.ph...d=49&Itemid=66

Pacific Yew: Taxus Brevifolia. £250.00 each.

We have a number of good quality self bow staves. These staves are very dense and have a ring count of approx 60+rpi.

They are typically 80" in length with the bark still intact. The ratio of heartwood to sapwood is approx 80/20.

[TerryLL]

I've made a couple hundred weaving shuttles from Pacific Yew. It finishes absolutely slippery smooth and gets better with use.

[Skegemog]

I have a pallet load of heavy English Yew shorts I saved from building furniture over the years I am now using for gaff jaws, cleats, toggles, belaying pins, block shells etc. for my Coquina. One of my favorite woods to work with

[Michael D. Storey]

I do not remember reading a thread where every entry was of the same sentiment, and so positive.

Look out for lightning

[stromborg]

Thanks for all the quick responses. I'm glad I got the logs out of the field before they turned into firewood!

These suckers are HEAVY. Had to use the winch on my old Bronco (1968 for you 4x4 fans) to yard them onto my gravel drive then used the 1/2" shackle-points on the bumper to drag them close enough to the shop to get them inside and off the dirt. Sounds like at the very least I have several lifetimes supply of material for small bits. Now I need to research the best way to turn them into dimensional timber, lots of craftsmen (and trees) on Bainbridge, somebody must have a portable mill.

Steve

[Paul Girouard]

One any way,

Coyote Woodshop
David Kotz
7439 Coyote Farm Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 842-5013
www.coyotewoodshop.com

[Jay Greer]

I assume that you know but just to prevent checking , as soon as possible coat the endgrain of the logs with thick paint. Saw into squared balks as soon as convenient. Re-saw to your largest requirment and stack and sticker in a cool ventelated building. Treat that stock as though it were gold!
Jay

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

......
If it will produce a clear lower log of six feet or more, instead of sawing it I'd split it into wedge-shaped balks using a sledge hammer and steel wedges. The outer section of those wedges containing 50-50 sapwood-heartwood are valuable as bow-making blanks. You can have your tiller, a few boat hooks and pay for your time in the bargain.
....

Spot on - Clear yew in 6 or seven foot lengths is like rocking horse droppings and that outer rim of heart/sap wood from such logs commands spectacular prices.

The typical run of yew in the UK has knots, holes and interesting bark inclusions:-
This is an organic product, any flaws and imperfections only add to the appeal..