My Garden

Laurel Toxicity

Last post 03-07-2009 8:19 PM by Digger. 8 replies.

• 22/10/2008 09:51 AM

  Mart Location: Henley-on-Thames Joined on: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 2

  Reply | Contact  We recently had to get to grips with a significantly overgrown laurel hedge. The leaves were disposed of in an incinerator, but the trunks (2"-3" dia) were logged. We now have a collection of 18" long logs drying which we were intending to burn on our open fire to save fuel. I'm a bit worried about the comments on toxicity I have seen on various websites. Is this safe? Many thanks

• 22/10/2008 11:20 AM	In reply to
  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,031	Reply | Contact Just because the crushed leaves emit tiny quantities of cyanide does not mean that the rest of the plant is harmful. Also the hot smoke will go up the chimney. I doubt you have much to worry about.  Let the dog sleep next the fire as an early warning, canary in coal mine sort of thing, if you are still concerned.   Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 22/10/2008 11:34 AM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,740	Reply | Contact Not the dog Boggy, surely the cat's best suited to that role? digger

• 23/10/2008 02:35 PM	In reply to
  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,031	Reply | Contact Whatever, as long as it is cute there is direct correlation between cuteness and susceptibility to toxins – kittens, puppies, ideal.   Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 23/10/2008 07:27 PM	In reply to
  Phot's-Moll Location: The sunny South coast. Joined on: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 3,333	Reply | Contact there is direct correlation between cuteness and susceptibility to toxins That must be why so many children survive after eating slugs, licking wellies, chewing things they find in the street ... Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.

• 24/10/2008 08:28 AM	In reply to
  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,031	Reply | Contact No that just shows that slugs, worms, second-hand chewing gum, dirty shoes and so on are not nearly as bad for you as people make out, and in actual fact an opportunity for economy.   Boggy Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 24/10/2008 09:34 AM	In reply to
  Mart Location: Henley-on-Thames Joined on: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 2	Reply | Contact Can't agree with the 'cat' bit but disposable canaries sounds like a sound idea Rgds  Mart's cat (Boris)

• 03/07/2009 07:04 PM	In reply to
  serendipity Location: Egham Joined on: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Reply | Contact Does anyone know if laurel could contaminate the soil around. I took down a very overgrown laurel and have been told that I shouldn't grow vegetables in the soil where it was for at least 2 years. Any comments?

• 03/07/2009 08:19 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,740	Reply | Contact Well if it's just the leaves that emit tiny quantities of cyanide, once the tree is gone it should be okay, but I don't know 100% so it's best to wait for someone clever to say for sure, digger