Yew

The yew tree was a perennial plant that could be found throughout Faerûn.

Description
The average yew could grow to be or more in diameter, with canopies reaching lengths of  or greater. Like oak trees they could live for hundreds or even thousands of years. Their wood was strong, yet flexible. All parts of a yew, with the exception of their red berries, were poisonous to ingest. The poison that could be derived from yew was known as taxine.

Varieties
Yew trees came in varied types. Some yews appeared to be deep red in color, particularly the unique magical yews of Evermeet.

Habitats

 * Evermeet.
 * In north Faerûn, yew could be found in abundance in Shadowdale around the Shadow Ridge.
 * Yew trees grew in the thick deciduous forests of the Moonshae Isles.
 * In south Faerûn, yew could be found in the Forest of Amtar.
 * In the Unapproachable East, yew could be found in the Forest of Lethyr.
 * In the Vast, the road leading away from Ring Park in the Foreign District of Ravens Bluff was lined with yew trees.

Usages

 * The wood of yew trees was used to make a variety of combative items, particularly bows, wands, staves, and light crossbows. Their wood was particularly prized by bowmakers for its flexibility.
 * Yew wood was also used for non-combat items, such as sturdy fishing rods.

Magic

 * Druids usually preferred wands made of yew or other speciality wood.
 * Ebony rod runewands were made out of yew.
 * Staves of peace were almost always made of yew.
 * Staves of stunning were typically made of yew.
 * Yew wood was commonly used for staves of the woodlands.
 * A leaf from a yew tree was needed as a material component to cast detect poison and disease.

Notable Yew Items

 * Elven Court bow

Notable Owners of Yew Items

 * Ilsevele Miritar owned a deep-red enchanted yew bow
 * Yin Pon carried the Elven Court Bow before losing it in Baldur's Gate
 * Berun used a rune-burned yew longbow

Trivia

 * The clearings created by yew canopies often attracted fey creatures.