Yew is one of only three Irish native conifers. The others are Scots pine and common juniper, the latter being really only a shrub and often ground-hugging. According to some botanists, the pine might not qualify as a native. Yew is very distinctive, with dark-green soft needles arranged in two opposing rows along the twigs. There are stands of wild native yew trees in parts of the Killarney National Park and individual trees appear in other parts of the west and north of the country. However, in most cases yew trees have been planted. Yew is one of the longest-lived trees of any kind and there are plenty of examples of very old trees. Some are connected with monastic settlements and date back several hundred years, but the age of some trees can easily be exaggerated as this tree takes on a look of great age when its true age might be a good deal less.