Yew are no joke!

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So i innocently set out today to build a grow box for my large yew. I got the itch as soon as i was done building it to repot it sooooo that’s exactly what i did. I knew that there were a lot of surface roots and then a large trunk section below that that needed to go.

I took it out of the pot and was pleased to see that it was FULL of roots. I started cutting at the large bottom section of roots. First i started with a small saw....nothing. Went to a medium saw....nothing. Asked the neighbor for a larger “limb” saw.....nothing. Panicked. Went to Home Depot and rented a Gas Chainsaw.....NOTHING!!!!!!!!! I went at it for a good half hour. I finally got it cut with a handsaw, prayer and a good amount of sweat. My Apple Watch dinged alerting my that I had reached my exercise goal for the day. 😂

As soon as i separate the heart shaped root. The wind really picks ups and the clear blue sky turns black and a snow squall roars through. It was dramatic to say the least. I sat there panting, holding the heart in the blowing snow!!

It’s now potted up and in a protected area. Word to the wise, if you are cutting anything thicker than a thumb on a yew, buckle the f$&! Up.

first picture is from collection. Large section circled9CE9731B-8D4D-4E89-B594-F84EEC0AD82E.jpeg68168DEC-334E-478F-9687-9DCF5E88AFD2.jpegBE35FBCA-6528-4204-8526-7E79B8BE6BC4.jpeg559EBD2B-CE24-409E-8F5D-BCD3E9B0CBD8.png8C2B3EBE-56BB-4EA9-BD03-108C02D57451.pngBE34292E-5613-463A-AB7A-3F222559618B.jpeg
 

sorce

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Technically, they are known for spitting foliage and making you think they will live...

They may be the biggest jokers!

Lol! Be careful!

Sorce
 

Tieball

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Yup.....you created quite a mess in your cutting quest. Great to see that you properly protected and shielded your eyes. Those flying chips can do a lot of damage...really fast.
 
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Hahahahahaa, show a picture of your hands. I'll bet they look old. And you need a pair off new sneakers. How familiar to see this.
For yew this a nice saw.
Schermafbeelding 2020-01-17 om 00.57.38.png
Also for other big @ss root trees.
 
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Underdog

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That wood is crazy hard to cut. Hornbeam is wimpy compared.
I'm trying to carve one now and gonna need heftier tools for it.
 

_#1_

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That's quite a bit of surface roots! Was the Yew kept in a bucket of water while you went to get the big gun? Did you periodically spray the roots to keep them moist when hacking away?

A tarp or old shower curtain would help keep floor clean.
 

Sn0W

Shohin
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I second Rubens suggestion. Get yourself a Makita reciprocating saw, I have a battery one I take out with me when I go collecting from gardens. Also works great for cutting back nursery stock.
 
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Hahahahahaa, show a picture of your hands. I'll bet they look old. And you need a pair off new sneakers. How familiar to see this.
For yew this a nice saw.
View attachment 279103
Also for other big @ss root trees.
Thank you! I’ll look into it. My hands are all cracked and dry. Haha. I kinda wear it as a badge of honor i guess.
 
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That's quite a bit of surface roots! Was the Yew kept in a bucket of water while you went to get the big gun? Did you periodically spray the roots to keep them moist when hacking away?

A tarp or old shower curtain would help keep floor clean.
I drapped a wet towel on the roots while i ran out to get the chainsaw
 
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Your patio looks like a crime scene

Thanks for the heads up, yo. I'm fixin to dig a big yew this spring
I sorta thought the same thing. I thought “this must be what cleaning up a body must be like...”
 

Tieball

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I use a Dewalt 20v cordless reciprocating saw with a 10” landscape blade that cuts both ways. Works fabulous. Also a great tool to shove in the ground with a 12” carbide tipped blade for initial tree removal. One of my best tool investments.
 

Eckhoffw

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Nice tree Eddy!

Haha! You can imagine the fun I had collecting this one. I had an hour after work to dig this out. I thought that would b plenty of time. 🙄 Shovel and mitre box hand saw. Nearly 1’ diameter taproot.
had to go beast mode on it.
Yes. Damn good exercise
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Eckhoffw

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Oh btw. This was last spring, and my first ever go at collecting. You are right. No joke.
 
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Oh btw. This was last spring, and my first ever go at collecting. You are right. No joke.
Haha beast mode is right! For a while there i thought “one of us dies today”. Now when i look at it i have a sense of respect, like a worthy opponent.

you got a nice tree there. The right trunk in the last photo👏🏼 the dig looks similar to mine. My tree was up against a wall like that too
 

Eckhoffw

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to be honest.. Looking at the pictures you might be right, that one of you has dies. I hope I am wrong.
Huh.
Curious as to why u think that.
The loss of major roots? Time of year?
I Respect your experienced opinion, just wondering.
 
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