Llangernyw Yew facts for kids
The Llangernyw Yew is a super old tree found in the small village of Llangernyw, in Conwy, North Wales. It's a type of tree called a yew (its scientific name is Taxus baccata). This amazing tree has grown so much that its main trunk has split apart. Now, it looks like several huge parts growing from the ground. Around its base, the tree measures about 10.75 meters (or 35 feet) around!
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History of the Llangernyw Yew
This ancient yew tree stands in the churchyard of St. Digain's Church in Llangernyw village. It's very tricky to figure out exactly how old yew trees are. However, a special certificate hangs on the churchyard gate.
How Old is the Tree?
The certificate is from the Yew Tree Campaign and was signed by a famous nature expert, David Bellamy, in 2002. It says that based on all the information they have, the tree is likely between 4,000 and 5,000 years old! That makes it one of the oldest living things in the world.
There's another idea about its age. Some people think the tree might be as old as the nearby church site. If that's true, it would still be very old, around 1,500 years.
Protecting the Ancient Tree
In the mid-1990s, the church had an oil tank placed between the tree's split trunks. But people soon realized how incredibly old the tree was. So, the oil tank was moved to protect the yew.
When the tank was first put in, a lot of old, dead wood was taken away from the tree. This made it harder for scientists who study tree rings (called dendrochronologists) to figure out its exact age.
In June 2002, something special happened. The Tree Council chose the Llangernyw Yew as one of the "Fifty Great British Trees." This was part of the celebrations for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It showed how important this tree is to the history of the country.
Legend of the Angelystor
There's a cool local story about the church in Llangernyw. People say an old spirit called Angelystor lives there. In Welsh, "Angelystor" means "Recording Angel" or "Evangelist."
The Booming Voice
The legend says that every year on Halloween, a loud, booming voice can be heard. This voice supposedly announces the names of people from the village who will pass away in the next year. It's a spooky and mysterious tradition!
Siôn Ap Rhobert's Challenge
Folklore tells a story about a man named Siôn Ap Rhobert. He didn't believe in the spirit. One Halloween night, he bravely went to the churchyard to challenge the Angelystor. But then, he heard his own name called out by the booming voice! Sadly, the story says he passed away within the year, just as the voice foretold.
See also
In Spanish: Tejo de Llangernyw para niños
