Author Topic: Rain water, is it safe for me? (Read 6904 times)

PipKelpy · « **on:** June 18, 2022, 03:39:02 pm »

Yew trees!

I have a whopper on the garden. We have knocked down an old shed and put a solid replacement in its place. (It's been a very HOT busy week! It's had 3 coats of Cuprinol, want to give it a couple more, damn, it's raining today will have to rest!)

Where it sits, there are overhanging trees above it On the garden, Yew, Ash and Conker. We want to put guttering on it to help preserve it BUT I have been thinking (never wise):

If all parts of the Yew tree are toxic, does that make the water toxic if some needles get into the guttering, into the waterbutt, into my watering can, onto my veggies and into me?

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2022, 05:41:56 pm »

Certainly the berries will be very toxic if they sit and rot in the water, leaves too.

Steph Hen · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2022, 05:55:04 pm »

The berries are actually edible but the seeds are toxic.

I recon it’ll be ok to water your veg beds but this is based on nothing but assumption.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2022, 06:38:42 pm »

I have always believed that Yew berries are toxic

Steph Hen · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2022, 07:49:59 am »

Quote from: Fleecewife on June 18, 2022, 06:38:42 pm

I have always believed that Yew berries are toxic

A very knowledgeable friend of mine (expert in foraging fungi) said he eats them but don’t eat or damage the seeds, just spit them out.
https://www.wildfooduk.com/edible-wild-plants/yew-tree/

Richmond · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2022, 08:44:30 am »

Quote from: Steph Hen on June 19, 2022, 07:49:59 am

Quote from: Fleecewife on June 18, 2022, 06:38:42 pm
I have always believed that Yew berries are toxic
A very knowledgeable friend of mine (expert in foraging fungi) said he eats them but don’t eat or damage the seeds, just spit them out.
https://www.wildfooduk.com/edible-wild-plants/yew-tree/

Blackbirds in particular love yew berries. They swallow them whole, the fruit part is digested and the seeds expelled the other end. No harm to the bird whatsoever.

PipKelpy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2022, 01:03:40 pm »

Blackbirds in particular love yew berries. They swallow them whole, the fruit part is digested and the seeds expelled the other end. No harm to the bird whatsoever.
[/quote]

They eat worms too, would you?

Fleecewife · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2022, 01:12:32 pm »

Quote from: Steph Hen on June 19, 2022, 07:49:59 am

Quote from: Fleecewife on June 18, 2022, 06:38:42 pm
I have always believed that Yew berries are toxic
A very knowledgeable friend of mine (expert in foraging fungi) said he eats them but don’t eat or damage the seeds, just spit them out.
https://www.wildfooduk.com/edible-wild-plants/yew-tree/

I think I'll stick to raspberries just now