Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 10 of 10
-
9th February 2015, 02:20 PM #1Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
- Posts
- 444
Cherry Laurel - any good for firewood?
I have quite a bit of cherry laurel that I am cutting out of an old forrest area. Some of the stuff is a fairly decent size (35cm diameter x 10m lengths). From what I have read, its not a particularly good timber and is considered toxic (Cyanide). Any views on using it as firewood? Cheers
-
9th February 2015 02:20 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Posts
- Many
-
9th February 2015, 05:14 PM #2Skwair2rownd
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Dundowran Beach
- Age
- 76
- Posts
- 19,922
CYANIDE IN A FIRE??!!
-
9th February 2015, 06:02 PM #3Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
- Posts
- 444
Yes, my thoughts exactly!!
I've chipped most of the logs but then thought maybe I should double check - the levels may be so low as to be not an issue and maybe, just maybe, a fire would break the chemicals down. I'm no chemist and the trees do look perfect for splitting into logs. Would be a pity to waste!
-
9th February 2015, 08:37 PM #4
I assume you are talking about Prunus laurocerasus that has poisonous berries/leaves/bark as they contain cyanogenic glycosides and amygdalin (hope you were using gloves when trimming). I was not aware the timber contains Cyanide too, but if it does, I would suggest forgetting burning.
Neil____________________________________________Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new
-
9th February 2015, 09:27 PM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
- Posts
- 444
Yep, the same stuff. At least I've verified my claim as to not being a chemist. I jumped to the conclusion that the words Cyogenic & poison was a fair indication that the chemical was Cyonide based. Apparently not! Does that mean then that I can burn the laurel (taking note of the need for protection gear when cutting down)?
-
9th February 2015, 10:09 PM #6
Sorry but I am quoting web sites only I found, certainly no expert, may be worth you investigating further or just not take the risk.
Neil____________________________________________Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new
-
10th February 2015, 08:21 AM #7Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
- Posts
- 444
Interesting that no-one else has responded. Seems that it is a bit of an unknown so I agree, given that it definitely has toxins in it (whatever the chemicals), its not worth the risk.
Cheers
-
11th February 2015, 02:40 PM #8
I've just done a google search on cherry laurel and according to the royal society of chemistry then yes the leaves do contain cyanide. Check out www.rsc.org or the poison garden for anything else. Hope this helps.
Dave,
hug the tree before you start the chainsaw.
-
12th February 2015, 04:55 PM #9Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
- Posts
- 444
Thanks for the research and links! I followed up and did a bit more searching. I found quite a few Forum based references out of the UK saying that Cherry Laurel was actually a really good firewood and posed no danger. I couldn't find a single reference to anyone suggesting otherwise as a consequence of someone becoming ill from doing so. I'm still dubious though so will probably end up just chipping it. Some very interesting stories on the Poisonous Garden site re the accidental and deliberate mis-use of Cherry Laurel leaves. Quite unbelievable that folk used to distil them to make a tonic !! Cheers Phil
-
21st February 2015, 08:44 AM #10Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
- Posts
- 444
I had a chat yesterday with an old local farmer. I asked him if he had had any problems with Cherry Laurel. Far from it. He has used the leaves to feed cattle during drought times and said it is an excellent firewood. Was confused as to why I was asking!! Seems like I have a new stock of firewood after all. Cheers
Similar Threads
-
Is it good for anything other than firewood?
By mattj82 in forum TIMBERReplies: 3Last Post: 13th April 2011, 01:10 PM -
Is it too good for firewood???
By c2sbi in forum WOODWORK - GENERALReplies: 4Last Post: 5th April 2011, 10:32 PM -
Good finish for Cherry?
By ciscokid in forum FINISHINGReplies: 5Last Post: 24th December 2006, 05:09 PM -
Cedar Trees as Firewood - good or bad?
By makka619 in forum TIMBERReplies: 11Last Post: 26th October 2006, 10:26 PM -
Does Peppercorn tree make good firewood?
By Dan_574 in forum TIMBERReplies: 9Last Post: 16th November 2005, 02:31 PM