Chopped yew as mulch?

Dear permies,

We are starting food foresters and have a question. How would you feel about using chopped yew (taxus baccata) as a mulch layer?

It doesn't feel right to get rid of the trees and the nutrients they could provide to the soil. But we're concerned about the toxins, possibly polluting the soil, water and future harvested fruits and crops.

Are you aware of any research regarding this?
Thanks a lot for your responses and have a nice day!

Marleen

I have not had any experience with yew.

Marleen said, "But we're concerned about the toxins, possibly polluting the soil, water and future harvested fruits and crops.

If you are concerned then maybe there is a reason to not use it as a mulch.

Marleen said, "It doesn't feel right to get rid of the trees and the nutrients they could provide to the soil.

Why not find a corner of the property to compost the chopped yew where there is no reason to worry?

Here is a thread that might be of interest to you or others:

https://permies.com/t/65367/Growing-food-adjacent-yew-hedge

I am hoping to hear from others on their thoughts for using chopped yew as a mulch.

The danger of yew is not to be understated. We have lost sheep to it. It seems that, provided there is plenty of fodder, they will ignore it. However, once it is cut and wilted it becomes more palatable. We lost 3 sheep in one incident, when a single branch of cut yew was left in a field, prior to sheep being moved in temporarily.

That said, the toxins seem to be fairly quickly broken down in a normal compost heap, and we have had no issues using clippings from the hedge as compost.

I would avoid spreading them without composting, as they may form a short term hazard to livestock or wildlife.

Personally, I would biochar it all and apply that. The woody stems don't break down in the compost heap, and will a a bother for years in a mulch layer.