- Yew trees are high-tier Woodcutting nodes found exclusively in Umbral Sands.
- You need an adamant logging axe (or better) and level 16 Woodcutting for bird nest drops.
- Each tree grants 220 XP and 26–28 yew logs, with a 1-in-4 chance of a bird nest.
- Trees regrow from stumps after 3 in-game days; chopping the stump removes them permanently.
- Node health is 4500, so bring the best axe and stamina support you can.
Yew Tree Overview and Key Stats
The Yew tree is one of the most valuable Woodcutting resource nodes in RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Found in the shadowed dunes of Umbral Sands, yew trees sit near the top of the tree progression ladder, sitting just below the coveted Magic Tree. They reward patient lumberjacks with a generous haul of logs, solid Woodcutting experience, and the occasional bird nest.
Before you swing an axe at one, you need the right tools. A yew tree's bark shrugs off anything weaker than an adamant logging axe, so players still carrying iron or steel axes should stick to willows and maples first.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Umbral Sands |
| Node Health | 4500 |
| Required Tool | Adamant logging axe (or better) |
| XP per Full Chop | 220 (stump excluded) |
| Regrowth Time | 3 in-game days (72 hours) |
| Journal Entry | None |
The tool you use slightly affects the XP you receive per chop. Upgrading from adamant to a rune logging axe improves both chop speed and experience gain, so craft the best axe you can before committing to a long yew farming session.
Drops and Rewards Table
Fully chopping down a yew tree produces two potential drops. The primary reward is a bulk stack of yew logs — one of the best firemaking and crafting resources in the game — while lucky choppers may also score a bird nest.
| Item | Quantity | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Yew Logs | 26–28 | Always |
| Bird Nest | 1 | 1/4 (requires level 16 Woodcutting) |
That bird nest drop rate is remarkably generous compared to most resource nodes. Bird nests are prized for the seeds they can yield, and farming yews is one of the more reliable passive sources of them through Woodcutting.
Yew Logs
- 26–28 per tree
- Always dropped
- Excellent firemaking fuel
- Core crafting material
Bird Nest
- 1-in-4 drop chance
- Requires level 16 Woodcutting
- Can contain valuable seeds
- Best nest source among trees
Experience
- 220 XP per tree
- Excludes the stump
- Scales with tool quality
- Strong mid-to-high tier training
Once a yew tree is felled, a stump remains. The tree regrows from that stump after 3 in-game days — but only if you leave the stump intact. Cutting the stump destroys the tree permanently, removing a future farming node from Umbral Sands. If you plan to revisit the area, leave stumps alone.
Spells and Passives That Boost Yew Farming
Dragonwilds layers its Woodcutting skill with helpful spells and passive abilities. Several of them directly improve how efficiently you can clear yew trees, and pairing them with yew farming amplifies both XP rates and drop frequency.
| Spell/Passive | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Axtral Projection | Spell | Chop trees remotely without standing beside them |
| Splinter | Spell | Breaks logs into additional resources |
| Trunk Totem | Spell | Summons a totem that aids chopping |
| Overhead Chop | Passive | Improves chopping power |
| Bird Nests | Passive | Increases bird nest drop frequency |
| Chop Thorny Vines | Passive | Handles nearby thorny vine obstacles |
The Bird Nests passive is the standout pick for yew farming. Combined with the tree's natural 1-in-4 nest rate, activating this passive turns a yew session into one of the most consistent bird nest farming methods in the game. Pair it with Axtral Projection to service multiple trees across Umbral Sands without constant running.
Step-by-Step Yew Farming Route
Follow this route to turn a trip to Umbral Sands into an efficient yew farming loop. The strategy focuses on tool readiness, passive setup, and stump preservation so your farming spots regenerate for repeat visits.
Craft an Adamant Logging Axe
Gather adamantite ore from mining nodes and smith an adamant logging axe. Anything weaker cannot cut yew trees at all, making this a hard requirement before traveling to Umbral Sands.
Reach Level 16 Woodcutting
Train on willow and maple trees until you hit level 16 Woodcutting. This unlocks the bird nest drop table on yew trees, which is the main bonus reward for chopping them.
Unlock the Bird Nests Passive
Invest points in the Woodcutting passive tree to unlock the Bird Nests passive. This stacks with yew's natural 1-in-4 nest rate for noticeably better seed income.
Travel to Umbral Sands and Mark Trees
Locate the yew groves in Umbral Sands. Note their positions — or drop a marker — so you can efficiently loop between respawning trees on future visits.
Chop, Collect, and Preserve Stumps
Fell each tree for its 26–28 logs, loot any bird nests, and leave stumps untouched. Return after 3 in-game days to chop the regrown trees again for a sustainable farming loop.
If you obtain yew seeds, the Farming skill offers a second path: you can plant and grow your own yew trees rather than waiting for wild ones to regrow. This lets you establish a personal yew grove near your base for convenient, repeatable harvests.
Yew vs. Other Tree Nodes
How does the yew tree stack up against the rest of Dragonwilds' tree progression? The table below compares it with the other chop-able trees across the game's regions.
| Tree | Tier Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ash Tree | Low | Early starter tree, weak logs |
| Oak Tree | Low | Common, easy XP |
| Willow Tree | Mid | Solid mid-level training |
| Maple Tree | Mid-High | Good bridge to yews |
| Yew Tree | High | 26–28 logs, 220 XP, 1/4 nest rate |
| Magic Tree | Highest | Top-tier logs, rarer than yews |
Treat yews as your primary training tree once you can wield an adamant axe. They hit a sweet spot of high XP, bulk logs, and frequent bird nests that maples can't match, and they're far more accessible than magic trees. Save magic tree chopping for when your gear and levels fully support it.
Yew Farming Checklist:
- Craft an adamant logging axe
- Reach level 16 Woodcutting
- Unlock the Bird Nests passive
- Locate yew groves in Umbral Sands
- Collect 200+ yew logs from a single trip
- Leave stumps intact for regrowth
FAQ
Q: Where do yew trees spawn in Dragonwilds?
Yew trees are found in Umbral Sands. They are one of the higher-tier tree nodes in the game, so expect them to be positioned deeper in the region than lower-tier trees like oaks and willows.
Q: What axe do I need to chop a yew tree?
You need an adamant logging axe or better. Weaker axes such as iron, steel, or mithril cannot cut yew trees. The quality of your axe also slightly affects the XP you gain per chop.
Q: How long does a yew tree take to regrow?
A felled yew tree regrows from its stump after 3 in-game days, or 72 hours. If you chop the stump, the tree will not grow back, so preserve stumps in areas you plan to farm repeatedly.
Q: Do yew trees drop bird nests?
Yes. Each fully chopped yew tree has a 1-in-4 chance to drop a bird nest, provided you have at least level 16 Woodcutting. The Bird Nests Woodcutting passive can further improve nest frequency.