Conifers are species-rich and are often cultivated as hedge plants due to their dense growth. However, alternatives should be sought for the conifer hedge in the area around children and pets, because many conifers are poisonous.
The berries of the yew are highly toxic
Which types of conifers are popular?
From the large number of conifer species, the following varieties are among the most popular:
- yew
- Spruce
- japanese larch
- Thuja
- cypress
- juniper
- Redwoodtree
The yew
Yews are robust and evergreen coniferous trees or shrubs, easy to care for and tolerate pruning. However, they are highly toxic, especially the red fruits, which children are attracted to.
The spruce
Spruces form a dense hedge and offer good nesting opportunities for birds. Due to their non-toxic nature, they are also suitable for planting in playgrounds.
The Japanese Larch
If left to grow, it becomes a stately tree up to 30 m tall. Since it is non-toxic, it is well suited as a cut hedge near children.
The thuja
It is one of the most popular hedge plants due to its dense growth, tolerance to cutting and winter hardiness. However, it is poisonous in all parts and should not be kept near children and pets.
cypresses
They are suitable for high, dense hedges and tolerate heavy pruning. However, due to the poisonous content, cypress trees are not a good choice when children or pets are around.
The juniper
It is undemanding, easy to care for and robust. However, its berries contain a small amount of poison, which can cause symptoms of poisoning in sensitive people or children. When planting juniper, therefore, a certain amount of caution is required.
The Sequoia
It is usually found as a large tree in public facilities. Since its needles are only slightly poisonous and symptoms of poisoning can only occur when large quantities are consumed, planting near children is not dangerous. However, pets should not eat the green of the sequoia.