Laurel as firewood?

[Stumpy Grinder]

Well I hope it's good as I got a load only yesterday out of an old cemetery! Grinding out stumps amongst grave stones was a first for me though!

This is a good little firewood guide here:

https://www.flamingfires.co.uk/which-wood-burns-best.htm

 

SG

Edited September 26, 2017 by Stumpy Grinder

[Rough Hewn]

Better make sure it is not laurel for smoking meats, there may be some complaints from the customers!
 

How Poisonous, How Harmful?

Prunus laurocerasus, cherry laurel

The leaves and fruit pips contain cyanolipids that are capable of releasing cyanide and benzaldehyde. The latter has the characteristic almond smell associated with cyanide.

1.5% cyanogenic glycosides are present in the leaves. During maceration, i.e. chewing, this becomes glucose, hydrogen cyanide (prussic acid), and benzaldehyde. Cyanide starves the central nervous system of oxygen and, thus, causes death.

The Prunus laurocerasus has enough of the poison in the leaves to be used by entymologists as a way of killing insect specimens without physical damage. They seal the live insects in a vessel containing the crushed leaves.

Confusing the two laurels and using the leaves of this plant as bay in cooking has resulted in poisoning. If this occurs prompt treatment is essentia

Burn the wood, not leaves and berries

[Billhook]

I filled 3 one ton potato boxes with laurel today processed through the Palax.  The wood is heavy when freshly cut but the circular saw goes through it like butter and it splits well.  Proof of the pudding will be sometime next year!