Toxic trees

[Dean Lofthouse]

tree of heaven is another wear a dust mask.

 

I didn't know this so have had to look up why :

 

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the plant may be mildly toxic. The noxious odours have been associated with nausea and headaches, as well as with contact dermatitis reported in both humans and sheep, who also developed weakness and paralysis. It contains a quinone irritant, 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone, as well as active quassinoids (ailanthone itself being one) which may account for these effects, but they have, however, proved difficult or impossible to reproduce in humans and goats. In one trial a tincture from the blossom and foliage caused nausea, vomiting and muscular relaxation.[46]

[Steve Bullman]

Myself and a work mate took a turn for the worse one day when we were knocking russian vine through a chipper

[Pat Ferrett]

Most trees bring me out in a cold sweat

The shrub that I hate working with is Viburnum it gives me a killer sore throat.

[Fungus]

Not a tree, but I can't cut back Common hop (Humulus lupulus) without wearing long sleeves and gloves, because its leaves and vines scratch your skin after which it stings and itches for a day or two.

And I don't know whether Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a problem (yet) in the U.K., but in The Netherlands and Germany it's a plaque and it is feared for the same effects to the skin as Sumak.

[RobArb]

Giant hogweed is slowly becoming more of a problem around the river banks in manchester, not sure what it's like in the rest if the country though

 

Sent from Rob's GalaxySII

[nepia]

The shrub that I hate working with is Viburnum it gives me a killer sore throat.

 

 

V. rhytidophyllum is the worst plant I have come across to put through a chipper: the dust generated is way more irritant than that from either Buddleia or ivy. Definitely stand upwind.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Chinese Varnish Tree (the clue being in the botanicla name of Toxicodendron vernicifluum) was reported a few years ago in the HSE bulletin below and causes very similar phytotoxic reactions as above.

 

One to steer clear of..!

 

Paul

 

PS London PLane leaf hairs, in early summer, and Leylandii sap can also be problematic.

arboc06.pdf

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Cherry Laurel giving off cyanide gas when chipped / shredded...apparently.

 

See Prunus laurocerasus, cherry laurel - THE POISON GARDEN website

 

Another one to steer clear of.

 

Paul

[Graham]

Cherry Laurel giving off cyanide gas when chipped / shredded...apparently.

 

See Prunus laurocerasus, cherry laurel - THE POISON GARDEN website

 

Another one to steer clear of.

 

Paul

 

The heady smell of marzipan in the back of the truck:001_smile:. Used to be used to despatch insects during the Victorian collecting craze. I tried it once using a matchbox, a wasp and a crushed laurel leaf. Killed it quickly.

[agg221]

Some of the more commonly encountered species, such as oak and sweet chestnut, have carcinogenic sawdust. Shouldn't be a problem with big chips, but worth remembering when finer dust may be generated.

 

Alec