Why were Yew Trees planted in Grave Yards?
The yew tree is a very long lasting tree and seen by ancient brits as the “tree of life” because it out-lived most people. Its dense evergreen covering also provided shelter. So, meeting and gathering would take place around and under the Yew tree. These turned into ritual and religous gatherings and hence turned into sacred ground…this became the logical place to then erect a building for service – therefore a church was always near a yew tree.
