The wood from Pacific yew has a thin light tan sapwood, while the heartwood is brown to bright orange. It is dense, very hard and strong, heavy and has a very fine, straight and close grain with a fine texture. It has a high luster and has no characteristic odor or taste. It splits during nailing but hold screws well. It bends easily, is excellent for turnery and finishes smoothly.
Pacific yew is rated as exceptionally high in resistance to heartwood decay.
It may be used for outdoor purposes without preservative treatment. Archery bows, turnery, cabinetry, canoe paddles, veneer, marquetry, panelling, carvings, furniture, joinery, fences, door, tables, rustic furniture. The word toxic is based on Taxus .