Laurel Chippings

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

I'm soon to be removing a laurel hedge; about 400 metres of it and 2m thick. Point is I can't take the chip to the farm since it's natural cyanide aint allowed in the chip pile - any ideas what I should do with it - another customer expressed an interest in taking it off me for filling in a void space in a landscaping project - I'm not so sure that's a good idea???

[garth mc garth]

is it that it becomes poisonous when its processed?? our goats munch all the overhanging laurel from the neighbours without harm. i was always told it was yew or at leat the berries that were poisonous to livestock

[Tom D]

The cyanide is released quickly as far as I know, just mulch it with everything else.

[nepia]

Never had any problems putting it in the compost heap at home. Leave it in a heap for a while; it'll break down surprisingly fast and with considerable heat. Then perhaps a farmer could mix it with manure and spread it but even that process is regulated; he's only allowed a certain proportion!

[Rupe]

The landscaping project would be the best, but its not as dangerous as the word "cyanide" suggests. Maybe don't put it near livestock or fruit and veg just to be sure, other than that don't worry about it.

[Saw-sick Steve]

Its Rhododendron 'Ponticum' that has the cyanide problem, never come across it with Laurel. As mentioned above, livestock don't have a problem with it, our sheep love it!

[Ben]

The only thing I have ever been warned of when chipping Laurel is not to go in the chip box on the back of the van, as the enclosed space concentrates the cyanide gas and it might harm you.

[Mark J]

Aye, my boss nearly passed out doing that.

[Stuart A-C]

I quite like the smell to be honest!!

[Mr Ed]

Its Rhododendron 'Ponticum' that has the cyanide problem, never come across it with Laurel. As mentioned above, livestock don't have a problem with it, our sheep love it!

 

Never come across it in Ponticum, but theres is a lot in laurel. You can smell the almonds scent when you chip it.

 

If its allowed to offgas in a pile for a few weeks, it will be fine to mix in with the rest of teh chip.