Exceptional trees - record-breaking yew hedge

Our local town of Cirencester in Gloucestershire was once the second largest Roman town in Britain after London - quite a record for what is now a relatively small market town.  That mantle was dropped many centuries ago, but the town is able to boast of another accolade.

Although not a single exceptional tree, this month’s choice comprises a collection of trees making up the tallest yew hedge in the world.  Planted in 1720 in Earl Bathurst's Park, the 510 feet long hedge is 43 feet high and 15 feet wide at the base.  Originally clipped by hand using ladders, ropes, hand shears, and nerves of steel, it now takes two men 12 days to complete the process using a cherry picker and modern petrol driven machines.

For some years the resultant clippings, weighing over a tonne, were donated for use in the production of the anti-cancer drug taxol but modern developments in research now enable the drug to be synthesised in fermentation tanks using plant cell fermentation technology.

We recommend that any visitors to The Cotswolds take the time to observe this global champion.  Unusually it’s located in the centre of the town making it very easy to get up close and personal.  At 300 years of age it’s still considered a youngster. Don’t worry if you can’t visit this year.  With yew trees expected to live for 3,000 years, it’ll still be around in 4720!