Yew bush/tree

(Question)

Are Yew trees toxic to people and animals? Is this one of those?

(Answer)

Thank you for your query regarding yew bushes.

Yes, The common Yew (Taxus baccata) are toxic to humans and animals.  The berries, needles, and bark contain poisonous taxine alkaloids.  Large amounts of needles would have to be consumed in order to have a lethal result.  Children’s ingestion is generally asymptomatic since they generally accidentally consume very small amounts.

The following websites provide more detailed information:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010865014000952

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/japanese-yew/