Laurel and hardy

[rowan lee]

Have been clearing a large area of Laurel on the estate. Lots and lots of fire wood being generated, but someone pointed out that there is an association between - burning Laurel and the emittance of Arsenic??

 

Can anyone shed any light on this claim. I suppose anything is possible but just to make sure.

[Farmer Tom]

No problem with Arsenic in Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). but it does contain fairly high levels of cyanide as a defence. Ever see bugs eating laurel?

The cyanide is mainly in the leaves & green stalks.

There should be no problem with burning properly seasoned laurel logs.

 

I burn it, even let my kids throw the leaves onto the bonfire/barbeque; they love the popping it makes.

Tom

[rowan lee]

Yeah, have to admit we've burned it before and i'm still alive. Does spit alot alright, makes some interesting noises whilst burning. Thought it was a strange comment for someone to make, thus just making sure lol.

 

Any thoughts on Laurel as a general purpose mulch/weed suppressant? I want to raid the Hosta patch with some of the stuff ive chipped.

[Pete Bannister]

Tom...you any relation to 'Old Tom'? (see thread on selling by weight or volume). They're dissin him mate..think you might need to avenge the family name!

[s.varty]

Yeah, have to admit we've burned it before and i'm still alive. Does spit alot alright, makes some interesting noises whilst burning. Thought it was a strange comment for someone to make, thus just making sure lol.

 

Any thoughts on Laurel as a general purpose mulch/weed suppressant? I want to raid the Hosta patch with some of the stuff ive chipped.

 

As farmer tom says, it contains cyanide, you should never chip laurel as it gives off a cyanide gas, try standing in a pile of it and see what happens,it has to be fresh. Dont do it alone!

[Mesterh]

As farmer tom says, it contains cyanide, you should never chip laurel as it gives off a cyanide gas, try standing in a pile of it and see what happens,it has to be fresh. Dont do it alone!

 

Really?

 

I have chipped loads of laurel and always have a sneaky wee in the back of the van.

Never noticed any adverse effects tbh.

 

Although I do now have a 12 inch ****

[Mozza]

Its gives off wee bit of Cyanide, True but i wouldnt worry about keeling over too much, I dont think there will be any recorded deaths due to chipping laurel!!

[s.varty]

Its gives off wee bit of Cyanide, True but i wouldnt worry about keeling over too much, I dont think there will be any recorded deaths due to chipping laurel!!

 

When i was on my chainsaw course in 1995, the instructor pointed out the dangers of chipped laurel and quoted a couple of instances when children had been overcome by the cyanide fumes and died. So i just had to try it for myself, and within a couple of minutes of standing in a fresh load or chippings i felt very faint. maybe it is only certain types or the fact i had 10 pints of london pride the night before. Must say i have never heard of any deaths myself.

[Mick Stockbridge]

When I first saw this thread I though maybe someone had posted a pic of me n Plippy working together.

[Mozza]

When i was on my chainsaw course in 1995, the instructor pointed out the dangers of chipped laurel and quoted a couple of instances when children had been overcome by the cyanide fumes and died. So i just had to try it for myself, and within a couple of minutes of standing in a fresh load or chippings i felt very faint. maybe it is only certain types or the fact i had 10 pints of london pride the night before. Must say i have never heard of any deaths myself.

 

:lol:

 

Aye, ive been told of light headedness a few times, I suppose its down to common sense. It may or may not do people harm, Best thing is to not stand in the chip!!

 

Although if MesterH wants to try it and take video footage of the event, we could all have a chuckle haha