Brinsop

In 1866 a yew with a girth of 15′ 4” was recorded in the Woolhope Transactions. It was almost certainly this male tree, growing SE of the church.
September 2004 – Tim Hills: A substantial living section grows on one side of the dead and hollow original trunk. When this decays a horse shoe shape will be established. Girth of this fragment was 8′ 6”.
February 2016 – Paul Wood: The yew has a very different appearance to that photographed in 2004. The toilet shed was presumably crushed when the tree leaned over to take up its present position. It appears that an old gravestone has been used to cover the hole in the ground. The tree presumably succumbed to a mixture of erosion and exposure to wind. An established branch on its south side has stopped it falling completely flat. Smaller branches appear to be taking root and the tree appears to be growing and surviving well at the moment, though if the branch supporting the tree breaks its chances of survival will be diminished. Some root material has exposed dying fragments of a former bole, confirming that this tree has been much larger girthed in the past. The area around the tree, particularly on the west side, is unfortunately being used as a dumping ground with broken glass, cans, plastic dead flowers and much else. In a well kept churchyard will this tree be allowed to live on in its new position?
In spite of its small girth today the Woolhope measurement in the 19th century tells us that this is an ancient tree.