Question:

Steve Sivek wrote [in part]: According to the American Oleander Society the National Posion Control Center reports that there has never been a death in the U.S. a….

    If one has access, why not mulch that oleander? Houston Assoc of PC Users Houston, Tx USDA zone 9 http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/

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Steve Sivek wrote [in part]: According to the American Oleander Society the National Posion Control Center reports that there has never been a death in the U.S. a….    If one has access, why not mulch that oleander?

I certainly see no problem with mulching oleander.  However please do not burn the stuff.  I seem to recall a news item from some time in my youth (probably 25 years ago or more) where a whole family in Melbourne (Aus) perished from burning oleander wood in their fireplace.  No doubt this was also coupled with inadequate ventilation, but all parts of this plant are toxic so PLEASE exercise caution.   Regards Margaret Van Emmerik. Season’s greetings to all! Margaret Van Emmerik Brisbane, Queensland, Australia http://www.gil.com.au/~emmerik – home of the Slug and Snail FAQ

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I certainly see no problem with mulching oleander.  However please do not burn the stuff.  I seem to recall a news item from some time in my youth (probably 25 years ago or more) where a whole family in Melbourne (Aus) perished from burning oleander wood in their fireplace.  No doubt this was also coupled with inadequate ventilation, but all parts of this plant are toxic so PLEASE exercise caution.  

In the book, "Toxic Plant and Animals–A Guide for Australia", it states: "Proven cases of poisoning from internal fires are known. Although such cases are often quoted, the author has never been able to find the published sources of most of these accounts…" Although the author (John Pearn) doesn’t report deaths from smoke inhalation, he does include this case: "CASE 5: Four people from an immigrant Bangladesh family were found unconscious in their home (at Liverpool, Sydney) having accidentally inhaled toxic smoke. They had been burning Nerium (common oleander) wood in an improvised fireplace in their loungeroom, during a cold winter night. The four policemen and two ambulancemen who  went to their aid were also poisoned and had to be taken to hospital. All recovered without any after-effects." Take care. Cheers. Alex

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If you inhale the smoke it can poison your lungs-and you. Don’t burn it… Dee "There’s something about the outside of a horse that does wonders for the inside of a man (or woman)" http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5456

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Steve Sivek wrote [in part]: According to the American Oleander Society the National Posion Control Center reports that there has never been a death in the U.S. attributed to the injestion of oleander by a human.

In Los Angeles or Orange County (Calif), a man was tried for murder (sometime in the past 20 years, I don’t remember exactly).  The accused and the victim were competing morticians.  The accused supposedly poisoned his rival with oleander added to a meal that was supposed to represent a reconcilliation.  The accused was found not guilty.   Parents are often upset when schools plant oleander, which is very resistant to all the abuse children can impose on landscapes.  However, the only significant instances of oleander poisoning (aside from the murder case described above) have involved adults cutting oleander branches in parks and using them to hold hot dogs or marshmallows over a barbecue.  Oleander is supposed to be sufficiently bitter that children will not eat it.

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I have a substantial amount of 2-in to 3-in oleander limbs that I wouild like to burn in my fireplace.  Is there any toxicological reason for not doing so? Thanks for  any informatio

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I don’t think it’s worth finding out. I know the flowers are toxic and the milky sap is not pleasant. It would think that if it went up in flames in your house, you could have problems. Use it as mulch. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a substantial amount of 2-in to 3-in oleander limbs that I wouild like to burn in my fireplace.  Is there any toxicological reason for not doing so? Thanks for  any informatio

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YEAH!!! every part of the oleander is poisonous…. I wouldn’t burn it for anthing inside. It might be ok, but *I* wouldn’t take that chance!!!

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I have a substantial amount of 2-in to 3-in oleander limbs that I wouild like to burn in my fireplace.  Is there any toxicological reason for not doing so? Thanks for  any informatio

On no account burn it. Yes, the toxic properties can be inhaled and probably absorbed through the skin (can’t confirm the latter). Of historical interest, in an old poem the attackers of Jericho (I think) were found ’slain’ on the fields outside the city. While the pious believed it the work of God it is also suspected the invader cooked meat using oleander wood for fuel. —    Martin Witchard                         ph. (w) 61-67-73-2575    Associate Lecturer                          (h) 61-67-78-3223    Room 195                                fax.(w) 61-67-73-2380    ARMIDALE NSW 2351 AUSTRALIA          http://metz.une.edu.au/~mwitchar/index.html<<<<<<<<<<      

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I have a substantial amount of 2-in to 3-in oleander limbs that I wouild like to burn in my fireplace.  Is there any toxicological reason for not doing so? Thanks for  any informatio

Aloha, We have a lot of oleander out here, used as ornamental hedges. To my knowlege they do not burn them. I have heard reports that people who cook food using oleander ’skewers’ can be poisoned to death by the toxin left in the food. I would think mulching and burying them might be safer. Aloha, Tim Kern — Aloha from Maui Tim Kern Maui On-Line

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a substantial amount of 2-in to 3-in oleander limbs that I wouild like to burn in my fireplace.  Is there any toxicological reason for not doing so? Thanks for  any informatio Aloha, We have a lot of oleander out here, used as ornamental hedges. To my knowlege they do not burn them. I have heard reports that people who cook food using oleander ’skewers’ can be poisoned to death by the toxin left in the food. I would think mulching and burying them might be safer. Aloha, Tim Kern — Aloha from Maui Tim Kern Maui On-Line

all its parts, and the smoke from burning no less so.  Use eye protection, and long sleeve, long pants, and boots when you prune it, never touch your face, mouth, nose, or eyes, guaranteed to regret it or worse.  Be very careful with this stuff and never burn it. Take care, Mary in Scottsdale.

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Yes,. the smoke is toxic too.  I remember as a kid some people in my hometown had a hot dog roast and put the meat on oleander wood and a couple of the kids died as a result.  The smoke can make one very, very ill. All parts of the plant are toxic including by products.

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Yes,. the smoke is toxic too.  I remember as a kid some people in my hometown had a hot dog roast and put the meat on oleander wood and a couple of the kids died as a result.  The smoke can make one very, very ill. All parts of the plant are toxic including by products.

According to the American Oleander Society the National Posion Control Center reports that there has never been a death in the U.S. attributed to the injestion of oleander by a human. Now don’t take me wrong! The all parts of the plant are highly toxic and can cause death. Water from vases, sap and the smoke from burning  are also toxic. The toxic principles are two glycosides, oleandroside and nerioside. Severe gastroenteritis, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating and weakness are the usual symptoms. These signs appear within a few hours after eating the leaves. Cardiac irregularities are common, often characterized by increased heart rate. However, a slower heart rate is often detected in the later stages. Many deaths have occured in livestock that were underfeed and could reach across a fence to eat this plant when it was the last source of something to eat. Steve USDA Zone 9 For information on hibiscus take a trip to: The American Hibiscus Society <http://www.trop-hibiscus.com Space City Chapter – AHS <http://users.aol.com/AHSSpaceCC

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a substantial amount of 2-in to 3-in oleander limbs that I wouild like to burn in my fireplace.  Is there any toxicological reason for not doing so? Thanks for  any informatio Aloha, We have a lot of oleander out here, used as ornamental hedges. To my knowlege they do not burn them. I have heard reports that people who cook food using oleander ’skewers’ can be poisoned to death by the toxin left in the food. I would think mulching and burying them might be safer. Aloha, Tim Kern — Aloha from Maui Tim Kern Maui On-Line

oleanders are quite quite deadly.  inhaling the smoke can be lethal to the elderly, children, and animals.  can make the young and strong sick.  these plants should be treated with great care – all parts of this plant are dangerous – leaves, flowers, stems, roots, and sap.

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