Jílovské tisy

Jílovské tisy is a nature monument south of the small town of Jílové in the Děčín district of northern Bohemia, Czech Republic. It protects a patch of forest on the steep slope of the phonolite hill Výrovna, home to one of the region's richest naturally regenerating populations of common yew (Taxus baccata) — a tree that has become genuinely scarce in Czech forests.

Where exactly is the reserve?

The protected area covers the slope of Výrovna hill, which rises to 540 meters above sea level and descends northward and westward into the valley of the Jílovský stream. The terrain is rocky and partly covered with scree, which has made the slope difficult to manage for forestry over the centuries — and that very inaccessibility is what allowed the yews to survive here in their natural form.

Why was this particular site protected?

The nature monument was declared in 1993 specifically to protect forest communities on this steep slope with their rich occurrence of common yew, a species that regenerates naturally at the site. Yew was heavily harvested across Central Europe for centuries — its dense, durable wood was prized by craftsmen and bowyers — so wild, self-sustaining populations like this one are now rare. The protected area spans roughly 27 hectares.

What does the forest stand look like?

Yew grows here in groups alongside spruce, pine, maple, birch and oak, with fir appearing only occasionally. It takes both shrub and tree form: older specimens have grown into full-sized trees, while younger yews form a dense understorey. The total population at the site is estimated at around 450 individual trees.

Are the yews actually reproducing here?

Yes, and that is the site's main conservation value. The yews at Jílovské tisy reproduce well, and surveys have found no signs of damage from pollution. The management goal is to secure continuity in the population's development — in other words, to keep conditions favorable enough that new seedlings can keep growing up alongside the mature trees.

Who manages the site?

The area is administered by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), through the branch responsible for the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area, within whose boundaries the nature monument lies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Jílovské tisy nature monument? It's a small, roughly 27-hectare protected area on the slope of Výrovna hill near Jílové, declared in 1993 to protect a naturally regenerating population of common yew.

How many yew trees grow there? An estimated 450, growing both as shrubs and mature trees alongside spruce, pine, maple, birch and oak.

Is the site suitable for a walk? The terrain is steep and partly rocky, so visitors should stick to marked paths and take care — the site's priority is nature conservation, not tourist infrastructure.

Why is the yew population here so notable? Common yew was historically cut down across much of Europe for its valuable wood, which is why a healthy, naturally regenerating population such as the one at Jílovské tisy is now unusual.