Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

name         Van D.
status       other
age          40s

Question -   Our group noticed the unique, strong smell the China
Berry tree has when cut. In the case such as a China Berry tree, or any
tree that is poisonous for animals to eat fruit or leaves from, could
there be any adverse effects from burning the wood for
firewood?  Especially involving children being around the smoke? I have
heard of the dangers of burning pressure treated woods. I thought you
could help on this?  Thanks -
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I guess you mean Melia azedarach  L. (please use scientific names of plants
since common plant names are often used for more than one plant, often of
different plant families).
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Meliaaz.htm
http://www.MediterraneanGardenSociety.org/plants/Melia.azedarach.cfm
http://www.icomm.ca/survival/herbs.don/herb-bad.htm
Poisonous to eat but I did not see any info on the smoke from the
firewood.  Generally, should not be around smoke anyway.


Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.
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See http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Meliaaz.htm
This site says of chinaberry: Mode Ingestion.
Severity TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

The smoke of plants like poison ivy and poison oak, which are contact
poisons, can produce a severe reaction if absorbed into clothing which then
rubs on the skin, and is potentially dangerous if inhaled.

J. Elliott
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