Latin name: Taxus baccata

Origin: Europe and NW United States

Characteristics: Heartwood is yellow brown, red-brown to orange-brown and clearly defined from the sapwood. The sap wood is often used often used and not considered a defect. European logs are larger, while logs from the Pacific Northwest are more akin to a bush and are very small in dimension. “Pips”, or small knots a very desirable and add to the character. Buckling in the veneer from the swirling in the garin often makes it difficult to process without pressing. Production is limited and good logs are expensive.

Use: Furniture and inlays.