Over the years I have found many hues of red and purple in yew, you seem to
get more of it in older larger trees, or that is my experience.
Hotfoot

"robo hippy" wrote in message
oups.com...
Alun,
I think that it is just because it is yew wood. I haven't turned a lot
of it, but have had some that was all yellow, some that had purple
streaks in it, and some that developed a purple patina as it dried
(which sanded out, and didn't return).
robo hippy