Broughton - Yew Tree House

An article in THE ANDOVER ADVERTISER on 13th January 1984 anticipated the felling of Jacob on 7th February of that year. This was necessary because the tree described as ‘rotten’ could no longer be insured, and the owner understandably did not wish to risk paying a claim for damages. We now know that almost all yews of great age have areas of decay that lead to hollowing, and that this should present no danger. Unfortunately the knowledge comes too late to save Jacob. Described as ‘the smooth one’ it grew by the side of its survivor Esau ‘the hairy one’. At that time this pair of yews had for some people an almost mythical status and it was reckoned that if anything happened to them disaster would befall the village. They were said to represent the heart of the village, providing protection. Some even put their age as high as 900 years, though a third of that would seem more likely.