- May you burn a yew tree?
- Yew wood is valuable wood
- You can compost yew without any worries
- Beware of the sap of the yew
Since the yew is one of the highly poisonous conifers, garden owners are faced with the question of whether they can burn yew wood. In principle, there is nothing wrong with burning yew leftovers in the stove, fireplace or garden.
Yew wood can be burned without any problems
May you burn a yew tree?
The yew contains in all parts of the plant - except in the pulp - the highly toxic taxine, which can be fatal if taken orally. But you can only poison yourself if you actually eat yew. There is no danger just by touching the needles or the trunk.
That's why it's not a problem to burn yew. The poison is neutralized by the heat.
Yew wood is valuable wood
Yew wood is highly valued because it is very durable and can be used for many purposes. Weapons were made from it in the Middle Ages and even today the wood plays a major role in bow making.
If you felled a yew tree or cut it back heavily, ask around in your circle of acquaintances to see if someone is interested in the wood.
If you cannot find a buyer, you can burn the yew wood in the fireplace or stove. But make sure that the wood is well seasoned. Otherwise the smoke will be too high and harmful to stoves and chimneys.
You can compost yew without any worries
If there is no way to burn the remains of the yew, you can compost it without worrying. The poison decomposes during the rotting process in the compost heap.
The resulting humus can also be applied to beds with vegetables without any problems.
Beware of the sap of the yew
Plant sap runs out when caring for and cutting the yew. This is not inherently dangerous as long as you don't pick it up.
However, it can trigger allergic skin reactions in sensitive people. Therefore, you should always wear gloves when handling yew and be careful not to get the needles on your face or other uncovered parts of your body.
tips
If you want to burn the remains of the yew tree in the garden, find out in advance on which days it is possible in your area. In many municipalities, the burning of garden waste is completely forbidden or only allowed on a few days a month.