OSRS Forestry Yew Trees Guide for Maximum XP and Profit

OSRS Forestry Yew Trees Guide for Maximum XP and Profit

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) players know that yew trees are a goldmine for both Woodcutting experience and profit. With the introduction of the Forestry update, chopping yew trees has become a more social and rewarding activity. This guide dives into everything you need to know about OSRS Forestry yew trees, from the best spots to chop, how to maximize XP and profit, to leveraging Forestry events for extra rewards. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or a member, this blog post will help you make the most of your yew tree adventures.

Forestry: The Way of the Forester, released on June 28, 2023, revolutionized Woodcutting in OSRS by making it a social activity. Yew trees, requiring level 60 Woodcutting, are high-value targets due to their logs, which are used for Fletching, Firemaking, and High Alchemy. Each yew log grants 175 Woodcutting XP, and with Forestry mechanics, you can boost your efficiency significantly.

What Makes Forestry Different?

Forestry introduces social bonuses and events that enhance Woodcutting. When multiple players chop the same tree, each receives an invisible +1 Woodcutting boost per player, up to +10 with ten players. Trees now despawn on a timer (1 minute 54 seconds for yew trees) rather than randomly, resetting if chopping stops. These changes make group Woodcutting more predictable and rewarding.

Why Focus on Yew Trees?

Yew logs are in constant demand for crafting yew longbows, which are popular for High Alchemy. This makes yew trees a profitable choice, especially for F2P players. Additionally, Forestry events and rewards like anima-infused bark add extra incentives for chopping yews.

Best Yew Tree Locations for Forestry

Choosing the right spot to chop yew trees is crucial for efficiency, especially with Forestry’s social mechanics. Below are the top locations for both F2P and members, optimized for XP, profit, and event participation.

Free-to-Play Yew Tree Spots

  • Behind Varrock Palace: Three yew trees north of the palace, close to the Grand Exchange for banking. Popular but competitive, with bots often present. Ideal for F2P Forestry on world 301.

  • Edgeville Ruins: Near the dungeon entrance, less crowded than Varrock but farther from a bank. Good for AFK chopping with fewer bots.

Members’ Yew Tree Spots

  • Woodcutting Guild: Boasts 17 yew trees, a +7 Woodcutting boost, and a bank chest nearby. No Forestry events spawn here, but it’s the best for raw log output.

  • Prifddinas: Three yew trees outside the bank, perfect for Forestry events and crystal shard drops (1 in 40 chance per log). World 444 is ideal for group chopping.

  • Shayzien (Varlamore): Two yew trees near a bank, great for Forestry events and low competition.

  • Catherby: Seven yew trees west of the bank, near a flax field. Close banking and moderate event activity make it a solid choice.

Maximizing XP and Profit with Forestry Yew Trees

Chopping yew trees with Forestry mechanics can yield impressive XP and gold per hour, especially with the right tools and strategies. Here’s how to optimize your setup.

Recommended Gear and Axes

Your axe and outfit choice significantly impact chopping speed and XP rates. Here’s a breakdown:





Axe Woodcutting Level Notes
Rune Axe 41 Best for F2P, affordable, decent chop rate.
Dragon Axe 61 Members-only, fast chop rate, cost-effective.
Infernal Axe 61 (85 Firemaking) Same speed as Dragon Axe, 1 in 3 chance to burn logs for Firemaking XP.
Crystal Axe 71 (50 Agility) Fastest axe, requires Song of the Elves, degrades with use.

Outfit: The Lumberjack or Forestry outfit provides a 2.5% Woodcutting XP boost when fully equipped. Store it in the Forestry kit with a clothes pouch to keep the bonus while wearing other outfits.

Forestry Kit and Rewards

The Forestry kit, available for 120 gold coins from the Friendly Forester, is essential for events and storing items like leaves and rations. Key rewards include:

  • Anima-Infused Bark: Earned from Forestry events, used to buy shop items.

  • Yew Leaves: 1 in 4 chance when chopping yews, used for forester’s rations or compost.

  • Nature Offerings: 60-80% chance for an extra log, boosting profit.

  • Secateurs Attachment: Doubles leaf drops, increasing ration production.

XP and Profit Rates

XP rates vary by Woodcutting level and group size. Here’s what to expect at different levels with Forestry boosts:

  • Level 60: 40,000–45,000 XP/hour, ~100–200 yew logs/hour (27,800–55,600 coins).

  • Level 80: 60,000–65,000 XP/hour, ~240–280 logs/hour (57,730–87,850 coins).

  • Level 99: 80,000–90,000 XP/hour, up to 345 logs/hour with tick manipulation (81,575 coins).

Anima-infused bark adds ~91,050 coins/hour when traded for felling axe handles, making Forestry a lucrative side hustle.

Forestry Events for Yew Trees

Forestry events spawn randomly while chopping yews (except in the Woodcutting Guild), offering extra XP and bark. At least one player needs a Forestry kit for events to trigger. Here are the key events you’ll encounter:

Rising Roots

Chop glowing green roots for 5-6 anima-infused bark (regular roots give 1-2). Simple and quick, great for group participation.

Struggling Sapling

Revive a sapling by adding mulch from resource piles (e.g., droppings, green leaves). Use RuneLite’s Woodcutting plugin to highlight correct piles for efficiency.

Flowering Bush

Pollinate flowers using a Bee on a Stick. RuneLite notifications help identify correct flowers, making this event smoother in groups.

Leprechaun

Deposit logs directly to your bank by talking to the leprechaun, saving banking time. Perfect for AFK sessions.

Tips and Tricks for Forestry Yew Trees

To get the most out of chopping yew trees with Forestry, follow these strategies:

  • Join World 444: The official Forestry world maximizes the +10 Woodcutting boost and event frequency. F2P players should use world 301.

  • Use RuneLite Plugins: Enable the Woodcutting plugin for event notifications, tree despawn timers, and player count tracking. The entity hider plugin improves visibility during crowded events.

  • Combine with Farming: Plant a yew tree in the Tree Gnome Stronghold’s tree patch and chop nearby yews while it grows. Player-grown trees don’t trigger Forestry timers, allowing faster tick manipulation.

  • Avoid Bots: Bots can disrupt Forestry events, reducing rewards. Stick to high-player, low-bot areas like Prifddinas or Shayzien.

  • AFK in Low-Competition Spots: For ironmen or relaxed chopping, try Shayzien or Aldarin in Varlamore for minimal competition and close banking.

By leveraging Forestry’s social mechanics, choosing the right location, and optimizing your setup, chopping yew trees in OSRS becomes a highly rewarding activity. Whether you’re grinding for Woodcutting levels, chasing profits, or enjoying the community vibe, yew trees with Forestry offer something for every player. Happy chopping!