The Yew tree is a rare tree species found in certain regions of the world. Its wood is extremely resistant to decay. Pioneers of the Pacific Northwest often used the yew for fence posts and applications normally vulnerable to rot by exposure to the ground. The Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia) capable of lasting in the stream for hundreds of years and are ideal long term instream components. This dead yew spans the stream with the downed Douglas fir in the back ground.