Aldermaston - Shalford Farm

Two items of great interest here:
1) a circle of 6 mature yews, the largest with a girth 2.61m @ 1.5. It had slight decay on the largest stem but was basically sound. Inner circumference was about 5.8m, the outer circumference around all the stems was 9.7m at 0.3m. The question was raised as to whether these might be basal growth from a much older yew from the time of the priory, but nothing remained of any older tree and there was no sign of any stump or decaying wood left which would definitely confirm an older yew.
2) An avenue of older-looking yews on a raised walkway is 80 yards long and aligned with the sunset at the winter solstice. New trees have been planted to fill the gaps when older trees fall. The largest was recorded with a girth of 11′ 4” (345cm) in 2006.
The causeway appears to be part of a very old trackway, surrounded by a deep ditch like a moat.