Thread: Cherry Laurel - any good for firewood?

CYANIDE IN A FIRE??!!

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!

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.

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)?

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.

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

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.

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

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