Low Scawdel

This battered, windswept, hollow yew exists on a steep slope of broken rock and scree and is totally exposed to the elements, including rock falls from above. It leans heavily to the north probably due to the strong prevailing winds which sweep through the valley. Research by Canadian scientist Doug Larson has strongly suggested that small yews in upland areas of Britain may be much older than thought based on girth size alone, especially in areas relatively undisturbed by humans or animals since the last Ice Age.