Yew Tree Danger???

[Simonsnr]

I'd heard that on a hot day, you can get 'high' from a certain chemical released from yews ...no idea if that's true, in 23 years I've not the chance to try it out...had headaches and slight sickness from laurels a few times though.

[Paul Cleaver]

I'd heard that on a hot day, you can get 'high' from a certain chemical released from yews ...no idea if that's true, in 23 years I've not the chance to try it out...had headaches and slight sickness from laurels a few times though.

 

I heard on a hot day a van was filled with laurel and on the journey the driver died at the wheel - don't know how long the journey was

[Beardie]

If it's a very old yew, I think your greatest threat might be infringing a Tree Preservation Order. You have looked into that, haven't you?

[penfold]

I heard on a hot day a van was filled with laurel and on the journey the driver died at the wheel - don't know how long the journey was

 

that would be the cyanide compounds in laurel.

 

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[Tim Stobart Tree Surgery]

I know the seeds are poisonous, but the berries from a yew are tasty. just be sure to spit out the pips and stop when your tongue goes numb!

[lakeyboy]

that would be the cyanide compounds in laurel.

 

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Is that why it smells like almonds/marzipan when it goes through the chipper? I remember good ol ray mears mentioning that tannins/cyanide smells like almonds....... I may be wrong and imagining this haha

[penfold]

yeah thats why and burning laurel isnt the best if youre downwind of the fire either.

 

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[se7enthdevil]

i got loads of laurel to burn in the stove over christmas, be bone dry by then so will be ok won't it???

[Paul Cleaver]

Is that why it smells like almonds/marzipan when it goes through the chipper? I remember good ol ray mears mentioning that tannins/cyanide smells like almonds....... I may be wrong and imagining this haha

 

you are right

[hedgesparrow]

i got loads of laurel to burn in the stove over christmas, be bone dry by then so will be ok won't it???

 

i would not burn it. open fire downwindas other posts but not indoors my veiws also will not burn yew indoors father in law would not and carried it on.