Chinese Varnish Tree - HELP PLEASE!

[armchairarborist]

is this the bad stuff?

[Tom D]

We deadwooded a big one today, after re-reading this thread I dont know what to do with the arisings, we didn't chip it for fear of the dust, buy If it cant be burned either then we're kind of stuck with it. I'll post up some pics of the bark and buds.

[Tom D]

Here's some pics, to help identify it, the bud and twig showing leaf scars and some of the bark, also some showing the resin, which has started to go black since yesterday. Prob the most distinctive feature were the seeds which were still hanging from the tree in grape like clusters, I have no pics of these at the mo but you can see them in other pics in this thread.:001_smile:

[chilli]

There seems to be a little confusion over which tree is the dangerous one.

The Rhus genus (200 species) has many examples with sap as an irritant to some people.

Poison Ivy is Rhus radicans.

Stag's Horn Sumach is Rhus typhina.

Chinese Varnish Tree is Rhus potaninii.

But I believe the toxic sap comes from (the) Varnish Tree Rhus verniciflua. The sap of this tree is tapped in Japan to make lacquer. The berries are pressed for oil in China.

I personally have never had a problem with sap from Sumachs or their cousin, the Smoke Bush Cotinus coggygria. I sincerely hope I don't come across the nasty one.