Florencecourt Yew
Encyclopedia
The Florencecourt Yew is a specimen of yew (Taxus baccata
) growing in County Fermanagh
, Northern Ireland
. This single tree is the source of most ornamental yews referred to as "Irish yew".
In 1740, a local farmer, George Willis retrieved a pair of Yew saplings from the slopes of Cuilcagh mountain near Florencecourt
, County Fermanagh
. The trees found on the mountain had an unusual vertical style or fastigiated character
compared to the typical common yew
of mainland Britain and Europe. One sapling was presented to his landlord, William Willoughby Cole (later 1st Earl of Enniskillen
) who had it planted on his estate at Florence Court
. The other was planted in his own garden where it survived until 1865.
The estate's specimen flourished and attracted much attention from visitors and the horticultural community. Cuttings were often taken from the tree for propagation throughout the Kingdom. It became so popular that in 1820, the tree was commercially propagated. It is believed that almost all the Irish Yew (fastigiated) specimens common in churchyards throughout the world are derived from this one tree.
The tree is female and so can only be propagated from cuttings. As a result the original tree has lost much of its characteristic shape and is no longer the impressive specimen it once was. Indeed the tree is almost unrecognisable as an Irish yew, with huge holes and an unbalanced shape; echoed in the damage to the trunk.
Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata is a conifer native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew, though with other related trees becoming known, it may be now known as the English yew, or European yew.-Description:It is a small-...
) growing in County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. This single tree is the source of most ornamental yews referred to as "Irish yew".
In 1740, a local farmer, George Willis retrieved a pair of Yew saplings from the slopes of Cuilcagh mountain near Florencecourt
Florencecourt
Florencecourt is a small village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 135 people. It lies within the Fermanagh District Council area. Historically the area was called Mullanashangan ....
, County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
. The trees found on the mountain had an unusual vertical style or fastigiated character
compared to the typical common yew
Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata is a conifer native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew, though with other related trees becoming known, it may be now known as the English yew, or European yew.-Description:It is a small-...
of mainland Britain and Europe. One sapling was presented to his landlord, William Willoughby Cole (later 1st Earl of Enniskillen
Earl of Enniskillen
Earl of Enniskillen is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1789 for William Cole, 1st Viscount Enniskillen. He had already been created Viscount Enniskillen in the Peerage of Ireland in 1776 and had inherited the title Baron Mount Florence, of Florence Court in the County of...
) who had it planted on his estate at Florence Court
Florence Court
Florence Court is a large 18th century house and estate located 8 miles south-west of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is set in the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain. The nearby village is distinguished by the one-word name Florencecourt. It is owned and managed by the National...
. The other was planted in his own garden where it survived until 1865.
The estate's specimen flourished and attracted much attention from visitors and the horticultural community. Cuttings were often taken from the tree for propagation throughout the Kingdom. It became so popular that in 1820, the tree was commercially propagated. It is believed that almost all the Irish Yew (fastigiated) specimens common in churchyards throughout the world are derived from this one tree.
The tree is female and so can only be propagated from cuttings. As a result the original tree has lost much of its characteristic shape and is no longer the impressive specimen it once was. Indeed the tree is almost unrecognisable as an Irish yew, with huge holes and an unbalanced shape; echoed in the damage to the trunk.