Throughout Europe up to latitude 60' north. Especially in England it has been cultivated for centuries because of its signijicance for making bowstaves and as a protective tree for small game,This is why there are still large stands in England today and the reason fir the country being the main supplier of yew logs. Because of its small dimensions and being very susceptible to defects such as knots,inner checking and calcereous deposits, wood suitable for slicing is very rare and correspondingly expensive. In German Yen, is protected by preservation rights. Largest known occurrence is in the municipal forest of Banska Bystrica (SK) with approx. 300, 000 trees. All components of the tree are Poisonous except for its red fruit cups.the bark of the taxus brevifolia (USA) is said to heat cancer.
USES:
Very rare veneer wood exclusively used for choice architectural work.Especially popular as accentuating wood for fillings in combination with other high quality ones.
PROPERTIES:
The heartwood is brown in yellow, olive to chocolate shades.The wood is durable and resistant to insect attack, moderately hard, of medium weight and elastic. Apart from Imbuya Burl this wood has bad very little significance in Europe up to now. The burl is only used in Europe for high quality architectural woodwork because of its rareness.
MACHINING:
To produce smooth, non‑checked surfaces Imbuya Burl must be very carefully worked due to its burl formation. When cleanly machined the surfaces have a beautiful luster which can also facilitate further treatment
SEASONING:
The wood must be dried very slowly and extremely carefully because Imbuya is strongly prone to warping. There is no strong tendeny to checking.
FINISHING:
Surface treatment of any type is very easy to carry out and polished surfaces in particular highlight the burly texture.
JOINTING:
Glue joints are easy to produce and hold firmly. Pre‑drilled screw and nail joints have high tensile strength.
