Suitability of yew for peppermills

[JohnsonTC]

I recently turned some salt and pepper mills out of yew only for someone to ask, "isn't that toxic?"

I've found info on toxicity of the bark and seeds but nothing definitive on the wood itself. I'd hate to poison a customer - not good for business.

Can anyone offer guidance or insight?

Thanks.

Tj

 

[Mark Hepburn]

I recently turned some salt and pepper mills out of yew only for someone to ask, "isn't that toxic?"

I've found info on toxicity of the bark and seeds but nothing definitive on the wood itself. I'd hate to poison a customer - not good for business.

Can anyone offer guidance or insight?

Thanks.

Tj

Tj, Here's a link to the NIH website, which indicates that it has potential to be poisonous: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002877.htm

ALso, here's a clip from the Woodland Trust:

Yew trees contain the highly poisonous taxane alkaloids that have been developed as anti-cancer drugs. Eating just a few leaves can make a small child severely ill and fatalities have occurred. All parts of the tree are poisonous, with the exception of the bright red arils.
Yew (Taxus baccata) - British trees - Woodland Trust

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting...and.../yew/Woodland Trust

Here's one more link from the PoisonGarden (UK organization): http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/taxus_baccata.htm

Hope this helps.

Mark

 

[JohnsonTC]

Thanks for the response. Pretty much confirms what I found already but doesn't specifically say anything about the timber itself. I've seen anecdotal stories about using it but I will go with my instincts and not use them.

They will make good display models and were a good learning exercise, though.

Tj, Here's a link to the NIH website, which indicates that it has potential to be poisonous: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002877.htm

ALso, here's a clip from the Woodland Trust:

Yew trees contain the highly poisonous taxane alkaloids that have been developed as anti-cancer drugs. Eating just a few leaves can make a small child severely ill and fatalities have occurred. All parts of the tree are poisonous, with the exception of the bright red arils.
Yew (Taxus baccata) - British trees - Woodland Trust

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting...and.../yew/Woodland Trust

Here's one more link from the PoisonGarden (UK organization): http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/taxus_baccata.htm

Hope this helps.

Mark

 

[Bill Boehme]

After reading about how toxic it is on several web sites, I would be very hesitant to even turn it.

Every part of the tree (leaves, bark, wood, seeds) except for the pulp of the fruit is highly toxic.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Tj... All parts of the tree are poisonous, with the exception of the bright red arils.
Yew (Taxus baccata) - British trees - Woodland Trust

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting...and.../yew/Woodland ...

The link doesn't work -- maybe this is what you were referencing: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/vi...-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/yew/

 

[Mark Hepburn]

The link doesn't work -- maybe this is what you were referencing: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/vi...-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/yew/

Thanks Bill. In my haste I didn't check it.