Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is a small conifer tree that produces very little usable wood that is free of large knots, inclusions, or voids. Dense and fine grained, it is a joy to turn and takes a finish that rivals many other hardwoods. As it grows very slowly under the forest canopy, it is not uncommon to have 50 growth rings per inch. Generally in a one acre square plot there may be 1-2 yew trees on average. Pacific Yew is easy to mill and glue. Uses include cabinet fronts, picture frames, long bows, and fine turned articles. Traditionally yew has been used for Native American longbows as the wood is bendable and stiff, which produces the ideal medium for a bow.
