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Laburnum tree
hi all, I have a laburnum tree in my garden, whilst it looks beautiful Iv been told it can be fatal if the pods dropped are eaten ! I have a 2 year old and a dog, is it really fatal if they pick some up ? It looks beautiful so would hate to chop it down - would also hate it if anything hallepened to my son and my dog ! any advice welcomed
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We had laburnuns, a toddler and a dog - all survived . But then, I didn't know the danger. I'm not sure what I'd have done if I did.
I read somewhere that it takes about 16 pods to kill a child, which is an awful lot to eat of something very unpalatable. I don't know how toxic the plant is to dogs as different animals have different susceptibilities to different plants. Rabbits can tolerate Laburnum far more than humans, on the other hand humans are far more tolerant of onions than dogs which can be poisoned by very little of that vegetable, Probably best to see if there are any actual records of people killed by laburnum as a way of assessing the danger.
We've got two laburnums in our garden just coming into flower. At the far end of the garden so not 'readily' accessible. We have a 5 year old (was 3 when we moved in), and 19 month old twins.
Im not concerned - I read up on the dangers when we moved in as I was initially worried like you. However the seed pods arent present all year round so you just have to be a bit more vigilant when they are (and just rake them up). I'm sure like me you don't leave toddlers in the garden by themselves anyway so you can keep an eye on them for a season or two.
The rest of the tree is poisonous too, however my kids don't generally go round eating twigs or leaves so I'm relaxed about this.
I grew up with a laburnum tree in the front garden. They were commonly grown in school playgrounds and amenity areas throughout the fifties and sixties - they cope well with pollution. My sister and I both managed to survive.
Strangely, my mother made such a fuss about the seeds being poisonous that I became more interested in them. If she'd said nothing, I'd never have given them a second glance.
The pods aren't attractive in any way, so I'd find it odd if any child was interested in eating them. Many plants are poisonous, but you'd have to consume very large amounts for them to do any kind of damage. The inside of an under sink kitchen cabinet is more dangerous frankly.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Well said Andy. Teach your children that the world is not made of marshmallow and then keep an eye on them till they get the hang of it!
My husband's granny told him that there were spiders' eggs in the berries in the garden. Good luck getting a berry into his mouth even now!
Like Fairygirl, I grew up with a laburnum tree and brother and I (and the rest of the village children who hung out at our place) all survived it. As soon as we were old enough to be outside unsupervised we were told it was poisonous and not to let any of the younger children to go near it. That responsibility impressed us and we took it seriously.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have a vivid memory of being about six year old and my older cousins finding a 'pea tree' in my back garden, I told them that it wasn't, but they ate them anyway and ended up in A&E getting their stomachs pumped
Did they eat them again....or any plant?
It's called learning about danger.
I walked the Cinque Terre a couple of years ago. If it was in the UK the path would be closed because it's so dangerous and yet thousands walk it every year.
Last edited: 23 May 2016 09:35:25
Can anyone find out any concrete facts on the number of people, and dogs, killed by laburnum?
I bet there are more people kicked to death by donkeys.
Remember, rhubarb leaves are also highly toxic.
My "know-it-all" cousin wanted to take my Gunnera home to make jam....shoulda let him!