Nothing to worry about. These are the male cones akin to pine cones on other conifers.

Linda

see link ...

and being the ones that spew the dna.. they are known as male cones..

see if you can match such at the link .. [and if they dont match..search female cones]

in other words.. it will be a big year for pollen ... it happens in cycles ... every few years or so.. they go crazy ...

i seem to recall .. from my childhood.. the pretty red berries are poisonous ... so feed the kids before they go outside... and teach them to eat.. ONLY what momma gives them ... not to forage in the yard ...

see this link also: http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/taxus_baccata.htm

wherein it states:

Though the berries are harmless, the seed within is highly toxic. Unbroken it will pass through the body without being digested but if the seed is chewed poisoning can occur with as few as three berries.

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Poisoning and poisoning to the point of death are two different degrees of toxicity. Even so you don't want your kids getting sick.
I remember teaching my kids not to eat the berries in the garden except the veggie garden. Now I'm teaching my grand kids.
Mike

i handed mine a snack baggie of goodies as they went out the door... and told them to come back when they got hungry ...

and to never put anything in the yard in their mouths... unless i picked it for them ...by which.. i showed them what was edible ....

ken

Thanks all - really appreciate all of your responses. I never knew there were two types of cones/seeds on these trees.

Cheers!