Greatham

January 2000 Tim Hills: A hollow yew with an elongated clean bole, free of ivy. Girths of 22′ 11” (698.5cm) at 1′, 21′ 0” (640cm) at 3′ and 21′ 7” (658cm) at 5′ were recorded. The plan shows a tree consisting of three living sections; these are all joined together. The first photograph shows the dead sapwood section. Also on the plan is a substantial internal structure which grows up against the tree. This can be followed to branches on the other side of the tree. The tree’s 2 main risers develop from a height of about 8′.
October 2011 – Peter Norton: The following girth measurements are all taken from the ground at the south side of the tree adjacent to the foot path: 23′ 9” (724cm) at 6”, 22′ 8” (691cm) at 1′, 22′ 3” (678cm) at 2′, 21′ 6” (655cm) at 3′ and 21′ 4” (650cm) at 4′. Its two main leaders are hollow, with the one on the west side having much white wood in the canopy. Five arial roots had been cut away. The substantial internal root has grown from the east leader (at about five foot from the ground) and, over the years, as its girth has increased, fused into the internal wall of the west leader. This fusion made it impossible to measure the girth of the internal stem. Instead a diameter at 2′ from the ground was recorded at exactly 1′, equating to approx. 3ft girth.
In 2013 the tree was discussed at a Parish Council meeting in the interests of Health and Safety. The following treatment was suggested: ‘deadwood, remove breakouts, crown lift to 2m. Reduce long laterals all round by 2-4 m, and balance – all works said to be required as high priority’. This seemed excessive for several reasons. Firstly dead sapwood provides the scaffolding over which new wood flows and should never be removed from old yews unless obviously dangerous. Secondly to crown lift to 2m on any specimen tree is unnecessary. Imagine Kew Gardens with every tree crown lifted to 2m – and this tree is older by far than anything Kew Gardens has on offer. What would be even better would be to allow one or two branches to reach the ground and embed themselves, providing extra anchorage for the tree. It was pleasing that common sense prevailed and it was decided that no work needed to be carried out.