Forum:

composting

composting toxic plants

Posts: 300

Location: CT zone 5b

posted 9 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I'm so glad David is here and I can ask this- I have tons of yews that I'm removing, but worry about residual toxicity as they decay. I've mostly been shredding/ chipping the branches and needles. Will the taxine ever break down?

I'm also growing castor beans and don't know what I'm gonna do with the plant residue. Looking for suggestions! Thanks

David Good

gardener & author

Posts: 640

Location: South Alabama

133

I like...

posted 9 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hi Will,

I actually use castor as a chop-and-drop plant in my food forest and haven't heard of any issues with its toxicity persisting long-term.

As for yews, I admit my ignorance as to the decay rate of the taxine alkaloid in the soil; however, nature recycles yews all the time. So long as you don't eat the compost, I wouldn't worry about it.

Yes, I'm that David The Good. My books are here: http://amzn.to/2kYcCKp. My daily site is here http://www.thesurvivalgardener.com and my awesome videos are here https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=davidthegood

Will Holland

Posts: 300

Location: CT zone 5b

posted 9 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I'm mostly worried about picking those substances back up via mushrooms. From what little I've read online, mushrooms will pick up the taxine and make them not safe to eat.

Glad to know the castor residue isn't a big deal!

David Good

gardener & author

Posts: 640

Location: South Alabama

133

I like...

posted 9 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

@Will

I think we need to call a scientist and find out - "Hi, could you do some lab work on these boletes for me?"

Ann LeFebvre

Posts: 9

Location: Illinois

I like...

posted 7 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Will,

I am researching a similar question, (and may end up posting here)- in the meantime, I found this.

http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/forests/woodpro/technotes/toxicity-of-yew-wood-and-roots

Tammy Mayer

Posts: 11

Location: France

posted 1 month ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Here's the updated link for the last post: https://extension.psu.edu/toxicity-of-yew-wood-and-roots And here's their conclusion:

Our conclusion is that the toxic alkaloid taxine is in fact present in yew root as it is in above-ground components of the tree, and that it remains present in the root material for as long as that root material remains undecomposed. Use of yew root in hobbyist or other uses is not recommended unless ingestion of the material is carefully prevented.

We're doing an ecological and mostly-diy renovation of 300-year-old building in Champagne, France. Aiming for a permaculture yard/garden in 2025. Sharing a few videos on IG and FB: @bonjouradventure

Anne Miller

steward

Posts: 16576

Location: USDA Zone 8a

4342

I like...

posted 1 month ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

My take on this is if the compost pile gets hot enough the toxins are killed off so there is no need to worry...

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

Mk Neal

pollinator

Posts: 1252

Location: Chicago

426

I like...

posted 1 month ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Anne Miller wrote:My take on this is if the compost pile gets hot enough the toxins are killed off so there is no need to worry...

But if what makes something toxic is a chemical poison (as with the yews), and not a living organism, it cannot be “killed.”

It may possibly be rendered less toxic through some chemical processes such as chemical reactions that change it at a molecular level or cause it to become bound up with other substances and therefore less available. But the required reagents and conditions would be different for each substance. Some toxins, like botulism toxin, are neutralized by heat. But others, like the heavy metals lead and arsenic, are unaffected by heat levels you could reach at home.

Weeds are just plants with enough surplus will to live to withstand normal levels of gardening!--Alexandra Petri