Tree find while logging

[wcasey755]

While getting some firewood I was poking around the clearcut right behind my own front yard and found this. Think I'll harvest it here soon! Any tips from guys that have havested yew?

[Flem]

If the trunk has any twist to it, I would think twice. Twisty Yew is a real pain to work with.

[wcasey755]

Had a little trunk twist but nothing major. It looks like it twists a bit a the trunk but straight after about four feet

[Noah70]

I work with Yew quite a bit, it grows well in the heavy forest here.  Depending on what you are using it for, ie. staves, some twist is acceptable and can be readily untwisted with heat and/or steam.  Yew is extremely forgiving with small knots, crossing growth rings, etc.  Anything else, knotty, extreme twist, etc. I always slice into 2” thick slabs and then rack and air dry for several years.  They make beautiful laminations, and even riser woods. But it should preferably be harvested during dormancy.  And seal the end cuts as quickly as possible, whether you are splitting staves or cutting boards.

[Roy from Pa]

Fixed your picture.

I've wrestled with twisted yew before and it won. LOL

[Pat B]

If the trunk is twisted I wouldn't mess with it but it looks like there might be a few limbs worth getting.

[Roughcountry]

I've tossed a couple in a pond if I didn't have something to seal them with.  Picked them up a week later and they turn out to be my best ever staves. I sealed them with a wood glue on the ends when I pulled them out of the pond.