Wood inspector

Family: Taxaceae

Common names: Pacific yew, Western yew, Yew

Distributed in: Canada, United States (North America)

Distribution overview: The growth range of the Pacific yew extends from extreme southeastern Alaska south along the coast to central California. It is also found in southeast British Columbia down through the Rocky Mountains to central Idaho. It usually grows from sea level in the northern parts of its growth range to elevations of 7000 feet (2134 m) in the south. It prefers moist soils of stream banks and canyons and is usually found in the understory of coniferous forests of Douglas fir, Red cedar, Pine or Larch.

Common uses: Bows, Cabinetmaking, Musical instruments , Paddles, Turnery

Product sources: Supplies are rather limited in both lumber and veneer forms, and the material is priced in the costly range when available.

Environment profile: Status has not been officially assessed

Tree size: Tree height is 30-40 m

Colors: the heart isWhite, Yellowand the sapwoodClearly differentiated from the heartwood, White to yellow.The grain isVariable figure, the textureToo heavy for general purpose plywood and the lusterHigh

Natural durability: Non-durable, Perishable

Odor: No specific smell or taste

Drying Defects: Moderate drying rates produce distortion and slight warping Shakes may be severe if the wood is dried too rapidly

Ease of Drying: Mild kiln schedules recommended to minimize drying defects

Comments: Pacific yew is of little commercial importance because of its scarcity

Blunting Effect: Little

Boring: Fairly easy to very easy

Carving: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Cutting Resistance: Easy to saw

Mortising: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Moulding: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Movement in Service: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Nailing: Pre-Boring Recommended, Tends to split during nailing

Planing: Yields clean surfaces

Resistance to Impregnation: Permeable sapwood

Routing recessing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Veneering qualities: Suitable for peeling

Steam bending: Responds very well to steam bending

Screwing: Good screw holding properties, Pre-boring recommended; Turning: Very good

Polishing: Surface Preparation; Staining: Non-Oil finishes are suggested since oil is reported to turn the heartwood to a chocolate-tan. ;