Melliker Green Meopham

In 1925 was the following description: ‘The gnarled yew tree stands on the north side of the green, and is here seen in a rather sorry state. Fires had been lit in the hollow trunk, and it looked as though its end was near’.
What is seen today is described by Cliff Hansford, who rediscovered this ancient yew. ‘The tree appears to have lost its northern side, exposing the remnants of a hollow centre. This exposed centre is extremely weathered and has suffered as a consequence. Several sturdy limbs extend upwards from a height of six feet from the base. Lower branches sweep down to the ground. If the bole was complete I would estimated the girth to be at least 15 feet. The young female yew planted as its ultimate replacement grows about 40 feet to the west’.