Great Yews

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.0072, -1.8307

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SU119231 Favourable 29.09 2011-09-26

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Chalk

Description

Area, 29.3 ha. 72.3 ac. Description Yew woodland is a nationally rare habitat and great Yews represents one of the two best examples in Wiltshire. It includes an extensive area of almost pure yew Taxus baccata and contains many large individual trees. It is situated on the Upper Chalk south of Salisbury. It is unusual in lying on gently sloping ground most yew woods being on steep slopes and also in having a long history as an area of yew. In particular the land is marked as 'Yew Bushes' on the Andrews and Drury map of Wiltshire, published in 1773. Many of the trees are believed to be over 200 years old. In 1955 about 300 individuals had a girth of over 3.0 metres and 16 of over 4.6 metres. There has been no recent resurvey but neither has there been any extensive felling. Yew regeneration appears absent within the wood but some younger specimens are found in the scrub on the northern boundary. It is generally thought that yew woods arise from such scrub and, after a long period, may progressively develop into broadleaved woodland. Scattered amongst the yews are isolated mature ash Fraxinus excelsior and pedunculate oak Quercus robur with the occasional whitebeam Sorbus aria and patches of ash regeneration. Shrubs are very sparse under the yews but dense, species rich scrub occurs on the edges of the wood. hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and blackthorn Prunus spinosa are common with frequent spindle Euonymus europaeus, holly Ilex aquifolium and privet Ligustrum vulgare. Few herbaceous plants exist beneath the yews but a number occur under the broadleaved trees and alongside the rides. These include nettle leaved bellflower Campanula trachelium, woodruff Galium odoratum and early purple orchid Orchis mascula. Ferns are well represented and include common and scaly male fern Dryopteris filix-mas and Dryopteris affinis, broad and narrow buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata and Dryopteris carthusiana and polypody Polypodium vulgare. Two glades, in the north and east of the wood, contain areas of herb rich rabbit grazed chalk grassland, with abundant chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, glaucous and spring sedges Carex flacca and Carex caryophyllea and occasional kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium. In the eastern glade the grassland merges into a small area of heather Calluna vulgaris and tormentil Potentilla erecta. Little is known of the invertebrates of the site but the abundant yew berries are an important food source for a variety of birds, bullfinch, greenfinch, redwing and fieldfare have been seen in large numbers.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
greenfinch Chloris chloris EN (Breeding) bird-finch fringillidae
bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula LC (Breeding) bird-finch fringillidae
redwing Turdus iliacus LC (NonBreeding), CR (Breeding) bird-thrush turdidae
fieldfare Turdus pilaris LC (NonBreeding), CR(PE) (Breeding) bird-thrush turdidae
scaly male-fern Dryopteris affinis LC fern dryopteridaceae
narrow buckler fern Dryopteris carthusiana LC fern dryopteridaceae
broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata LC fern dryopteridaceae
male fern Dryopteris filix-mas LC fern dryopteridaceae
polypody Polypodium vulgare LC fern polypodiaceae
lady's fingers (kidney vetch) Anthyllis vulneraria NT herb fabaceae
nettle leaved bellflower Campanula trachelium LC herb campanulaceae
woodruff Galium odoratum LC herb rubiaceae
rock roses Helianthemum nummularium VU herb cistaceae
early purple orchid Orchis mascula LC herb orchidaceae
chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea VU herb polygalaceae
tormentil Potentilla erecta LC herb rosaceae
spring-sedge Carex caryophyllea NT sedge cyperaceae
glaucus sedge Carex flacca LC sedge cyperaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
spindle tree Euonymus europaeus LC shrub celastraceae
wild privet Ligustrum vulgare LC shrub oleaceae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub rosaceae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
holly Ilex aquifolium LC tree aquifoliaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae
whitebeams Sorbus aria CR tree rosaceae
yew Taxus baccata LC tree taxaceae

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Oak lutestring
Cymatophorina diluta
Endangered Quercus robur
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Shoulder-striped clover
Heliothis maritima
Endangered Calluna vulgaris
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Least minor
Photedes captiuncula
Endangered Carex flacca
Black hairstreak
Satyrium pruni
Endangered Prunus spinosa
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Crataegus spp.
Northern brown
Aricia artaxerxes
Vulnerable Helianthemum nummularium
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Crataegus spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Galium spp., Helianthemum nummularium
Bedstraw hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Vulnerable Galium spp.
True lover's knot
Lycophotia porphyrea
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Helianthemum nummularium
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Potentilla erecta
Brown hairstreak
Thecla betulae
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Oak hook-tip
Watsonalla binaria
Vulnerable Quercus robur
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus spp.
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa
Light crimson underwing
Catocala promissa
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Dark crimson underwing
Catocala sponsa
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Small blue
Cupido minimus
Near Threatened Anthyllis vulneraria
Heart moth
Dicycla oo
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Grey scalloped
Dyscia fagaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Quercus spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Dusky thorn
Ennomos fuscantaria
Near Threatened Fraxinus excelsior
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Galium spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Crataegus spp., Prunus spinosa, Quercus spp.
Weaver's wave
Idaea contiguaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris
Silky wave
Idaea dilutaria
Near Threatened Helianthemum nummularium
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Carex flacca
Clay fan-foot
Paracolax tristalis
Near Threatened Quercus spp.
Common fan-foot
Pechipogo strigilata
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Frosted green
Polyploca ridens
Near Threatened Quercus robur
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet
Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Near Threatened Galium spp.

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Matches 10 species from the description above: Crataegus monogyna, Dryopteris filix-mas, Euonymus europaeus, Fraxinus excelsior, Ilex aquifolium, Ligustrum vulgare, Prunus spinosa, Quercus robur, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W13 — Yew wood

Taxus baccata woodland

Matches 8 species from the description above: Crataegus monogyna, Euonymus europaeus, Fraxinus excelsior, Ilex aquifolium, Ligustrum vulgare, Quercus robur, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Buxus sempervirens, Sambucus nigra, Euonymus europaeus, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Crataegus monogyna, Mnium hornum, Fissidens viridulus, Brachythecium velutinum, Ctenidium molluscum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhynchostegium murale, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Tamus communis, Arum maculatum, Eupatorium cannabinum, Inula conyza, Mercurialis perennis, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Fragaria vesca, Rubus fruticosus agg., Atropa belladonna, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Brachypodium sylvaticum

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 3 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Carex flacca, Dryopteris dilatata

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 2 species from the description above: Dryopteris filix-mas, Prunus spinosa

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas