Are yew tree berries poisonous?

Answer by  RoseNy (500)

The part that looks like a berry is actually called an aril and it is a protective covering for the tree's seeds. The aril itself is not poisonous, but the seeds are. The toxin is generally not fatal to humans, but may kill livestock and other animals.

Answer by  dezoef (12)

Yes, these berries are very poisonous. When you eat only one hand full you can die from these yew berries .

Answer by  quisqualis (1756)

The yew tree is overall a poisonous plant, but those bright red berries are a non-toxic part of the plant. The seed inside the bright red berry is toxic, though, so the plant should not be eaten by any animal, human or otherwise. The toxin in yew, taxine, causes cardiac arrest.

Answer by  Michele13 (1188)

Yes,the berries of the yew tree are minute amounts,this berry has been used for medicinal purposes,but it is considered too dangerous for doctors to use today.It generally causes convulsions,and was once used to induce abortion.

Answer by  Melissa101010 (4405)

I do not think that yew tree berries are poisnous but i do not reccommend that you place anything in your body that you do not know what it is. Ask an herbal nutritionist what they reccomend and also research anything before you place it in your body. It might be easier to leave it alone.

Answer by  phil9745 (160)

It has been reported that the yew tree is frequently fatal to cattle and we must assume that cattle being grazers, that is could be poisonous to other grazers as well. Haven't seen anything written about just the berries being poisonous, so it could be just the leaves that affected the cattle.

Answer by  worker48 (22)

Yew tree berries are poisonous, so when using as an hedge around the house you should make young children aware of the dangers.