Is black walnut safe?

[RedLab]

One of the farms I hunt in was planted with black walnut by the Ministry of Natural Resources, I guess walnut was almost extinct at one point. They planted the whole farm in black walnut and pine. The land owner wants to remove all the walnut that is not straight. He said I can take as much as I want. My question is is it safe to burn. I have heard it can be toxic. What's the scoop on this? Thanks Rich.

 

[BrotherBart]

I sure have never heard of any safety concerns about black walnut. Well, except don't be under it when it drops.

 

[gzecc]

Smells great when working with and burning. Makes a boat load of ash. Medium quality heat.

 

[schlot]

Maybe he was talking that it is toxic or at least hard to grow some plants near black walnuts?

 

[rdust]

I've heard the root system can be toxic to other plants but never an issue with burning the wood. I did a quick search and something called "juglone"? causes the issue.

 

[Paulywalnut]

I've heard the root system can be toxic to other plants but never an issue with burning the wood. I did a quick search and something called "juglone"? causes the issue.

Exactly. I have 25-30 black walnut on my property. Not much grows under them. Well grass does. Burns great when seasoned 2 years. Get as much as you can, great aroma burning it.

 

[Butcher]

No problem burning it as far as being toxic. Other plants dont like growing under walnut trees. The ones that grow in my neck of the woods will keep you much warmer splitting and stacking them than burning them in a stove tho.

 

[fox9988]

Splits super easy, burns fine.

 

[NortheastAl]

Walnut should be no problem to burn. It is allelopathic, which means that it is toxic to other plants grown under or near it.

I remember years ago burning some left over furniture grade Black Walnut. Had great hot and long lasting coals.

 

[RedLab]

Walnut should be no problem to burn. It is allelopathic, which means that it is toxic to other plants grown under or near it.

I remember years ago burning some left over furniture grade Black Walnut. Had great hot and long lasting coals.

 

[Applesister]

Some exotic hardwoods are toxic in the manner of inhaling sawdust fibers and splinters can cause festering of the skin. I have experienced this with Lacewood and I do seem to remember something about Black Walnut. But nothing to do with burning.
Poison Ivy is the only wood/plant I know of that you cannot inhale the smoke while its burning.
There have been lots of threads on here and other tree forums about burning walnut.

 

[NortheastAl]

Some exotic hardwoods are toxic in the manner of inhaling sawdust fibers and splinters can cause festering of the skin. I have experienced this with Lacewood and I do seem to remember something about Black Walnut. But nothing to do with burning.
Poison Ivy is the only wood/plant I know of that you cannot inhale the smoke while its burning.
There have been lots of threads on here and other tree forums about burning walnut.

Sawdust of nut bearing trees is toxic. Some say Oak is as well.

 

[ansehnlich1]

I have, cut, split, stack, and burn lots of black walnut without any problem whatsoever....

 

[nrford]

Walnut dust can be toxic to horses. If nut bearing tree dust toxic I should be dead! I've been around walnut, hickory, and tons and tons of oak dust for years .

 

[Jon1270]

Yes, juglone will kill some plants, tomatoes and rhubarb among them, and I've consistently heard that walnut sawdust can't be used around horses because it irritates their hooves and can lame them. Those are the only issues I've ever heard of.

 

[Mitch Newton]

I hope it's ok, I've got two cords of it ready to go for this year.

 

[Ehouse]

If there's some good stems and sizable limbs, save them for furniture, or turning wood and split the rest. Worth a lot to the right person.

 

[schlot]

I hope it's ok, I've got two cords of it ready to go for this year.

Um...I take that back, it is toxic and you should give it away. In fact I..er the authorities will be over soon in a blue F150 with Iowa license plates to haul it away for you.

 

[firefighterjake]

Don't eat the wood!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Sawdust of nut bearing trees is toxic. Some say Oak is as well.

That is why we force ourselves to not eat the sawdust.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Forgot. Welcome to the forum RedLab.

 

[Ashful]

One of the farms I hunt in was planted with black walnut by the Ministry of Natural Resources, I guess walnut was almost extinct at one point. They planted the whole farm in black walnut and pine. The land owner wants to remove all the walnut that is not straight. He said I can take as much as I want. My question is is it safe to burn. I have heard it can be toxic. What's the scoop on this? Thanks Rich.

I'm confused. Black walnut doesn't grow that straight. In any case, from a guy with more than his fair share of walnut, it Creates wood gas faster than other woods. It's fine to burn, but a full load of walnut is a sure recipe for back puffing, when going for a long slow burn in my stove. I mix it with other woods, and its fine.

 

[basod]

Rotenone is the chemical in the nut husk that is very effective at culling old farm ponds of undesirable fish species.
As for the wood I believe the dust concern is the higher levels of silica in hickory&walnut that would raise respiratory concern

 

[BrotherBart]

The walnut is dangerous and should not be burned. It should be shipped freight pre-paid to the Manassas, VA Fed-Ex Freight terminal c/o Brotherbart for appropriate safe disposal.

 

[Thistle]

Its not safe around my Granberg mill,table/band saws,massive Coronet wood lathe,or planes,gouges & chisels either.