The leaves off the Yew Tree are highly toxic, and some of that probably is in the timber too. It is a wood I highly recommend you are double certain on your PPE when the dust is floating around you, but that is because the dust is very fine, as for transfer of toxins, probably best not to make wooden spoons or fish steamers with it, but I love it for making lamps, bowls not sold for eating out of and many other things, it is beautiful to turn (except the dust) and as long as you are certain to keep the heat down it has a wonderful finish.