The Pacific yew tree is a small to medium-sized conifer native to the western United States and Canada. It typically grows in moist, shaded forests and can reach heights of up to 50 feet. The tree has a distinctive reddish-brown bark and produces small, fleshy fruits that are attractive to birds. This tree is significant for its bark, which contains a compound called taxol. Taxol is used in cancer treatment, particularly for breast and ovarian cancers. The Pacific yew's ecological role includes providing habitat for various wildlife species, making it an important part of its forest ecosystem.