English Yew Spindle Blank

English Yew (Taxus baccata) is one of Britain's most ancient and revered native timbers — a wood steeped in history, mythology, and craftsmanship. Found in churchyards and ancient woodlands across the UK, Yew is a timber of extraordinary beauty: warm orange-red to reddish-brown heartwood with a creamy white sapwood that, when left in contrast, creates one of the most striking natural colour combinations in any native species.

On the lathe, Yew is a genuine pleasure. It turns cleanly, takes detail beautifully, and polishes to a naturally lustrous, almost waxy surface that needs little effort to bring to a superb finish. The grain can be straight or wildly irregular — particularly in pieces from older trees — and the contrast between heartwood and sapwood makes every blank a unique composition. It is a timber that connects the turner to something ancient and enduring.

Wood Characteristics

• Species: English Yew (Taxus baccata)
• Origin: United Kingdom and Europe
• Colour: Rich orange-red to reddish-brown heartwood with contrasting creamy-white sapwood
• Grain: Variable — straight to highly irregular; older pieces can display beautiful wild figure
• Hardness: Moderately hard for a conifer — denser and harder than most softwoods
• Finish: Turns to a naturally lustrous, almost waxy surface — the colour and contrast are outstanding
• Workability: Turns and finishes beautifully; sharp tools recommended for the best results
• Note: All parts of the Yew tree except the flesh of the berry are toxic — dust precautions and good ventilation are essential

Supplied

• Supplied dried and ready to turn
• Sizes are approximate and shown in inches (length × width × thickness)

Natural wood — colour, grain, heartwood/sapwood ratio, and figuring will vary between blanks. Images are representative.