any clue ??

[KellyA]

I know many people have put the list of safe plants and trees for our birds on here a few times. But, I didn't see a few of the trees that I have in my yard on the list. I was wondering if anyone knew if "Crapemyrtle","Glossy Privet shurbs", "Wisteria", or "Boxwood shrubs" are good or bad? I'm planing to build an outdoor aviary for my birds and a few of these are in the area I plan to build in. I could move these trees and shurbs if they are bad.

[Monica]

Crape Myrtle - ??? Listed as both Safe and Toxic
Privet - Toxic
Wisteria - Toxic
Boxwood - Toxic

Toxic and Safe Plants/Trees for Birds - Household Poisons
Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Poisonous. Parrots. Parrot cages.
Safe plants for pet birds and parrots. Safe branches for foraging, chewing, perching and toy making. The Laughing Parrot has everything to please your parrot!

[huntress]

Best is to find out what the taxonomic? (sp)? name is? Is that the right word?

[kellywess]

Crepe Myrtles are toxic

[ljhassell]

Wash all wood in a bleach solution, rinse then for small branches bake in oven at 250 for about 1 hour and for large branches wash, rinse and dry in direct sun.

Acacia, Almond, Apple, Apricot (*see note below), Arbutus, Ash, Aspen,

Bamboo, Beech, Birch, Bois d'arc (*see note below),

Cherry (*see note below), Citrus, Cork Oak (*see note below), Cottonwood, Crabapple,

Dogwood,

Elm, Eucalyptus (*see note below),

Fig Species, Fir, Fruitless Mulbery,

Ginkgo, Grape Vines, Grape Palm, Guava,

Hackberry, Hawthorn, Hazelnut, Hibiscus, Hickory, Horse Apple (*see note below),

Ironwood,

Larch, Lilac, Liquidamber,

Madrona, Magnolia, Manzanita, Maple, Mediterranean Laurel, Mesquite (remove thorns), Mimosa, Mulberry,

Nectarine (*see note below), Norfolk Island Pine, Nut (except Chestnut & Oak),

Oak (wood only, no bark or leaves), (*see note below),

Palm, Papaya, Peach (*see note below) Pear, Pecan, Pine, Plum (*see note below), Poplar, Prune (*see note below),

Ribbonwood, Rose,

Sassafras, Sequoia (redwood) (*see note below), Spruce, Sweet Gum, Sycamore,

Thurlow , Tree fern,

Umbrella tree,

Vine Maple,

Walnut, Willow (Goat, ***** & Weeping)

A couple of woods appear on safe lists that shouldn't or should be noted that there are problems with some species. Redwood has long been associated with rashes and the dust with lung and eye disorders. It contains high levels of volatile oils that are known toxins. Further exposure is believed to suppress the immune system.

Box Elder Wood: UNSAFE

Crepe Myrtle: UNSAFE

Chinese Popcorn/Chinese Tallow: UNSAFE

Hemlock: UNSAFE (see note below)

Sumac: UNSAFE (aka Rhus/Toxicodendron)

Gillian Willis on his website says "Do not use apricot, cherry, peach, prune, plum or nectarine. These trees all belong to the Prunus species. They contain cyanogenic glycosides which release cyanide if ingested.

There is some disagreement over whether cherry, oak and eucalyptus are toxic. However the wood should be safe but avoid the leaves and seeds and in the case of oak and cherry the bark as well. (Safety on Cherry is questionable)

London Tree is in the sycamore family, and is currently under research.

Do not give the birds redwood. The oils the wood contains are toxic. But the biggest problem is if they get a splinter, redwood tends to block the immune response and they become infected quite easily. Oak appears on a number of toxic lists, primarily because of the tannin in the leaves and acorns. In the writer’s opinion this is totally unjustified, the wood should be perfectly fine as it is not generally eaten and contains little tannin in most species.

Cork Oak - (again avoid foliage and acorns) the bark of cork oak is safe for consumption even by humans whose tolerance for tannin is much lower than most bird species.

Cork Oak is a safe wood to leave the bark on. Cork oak has very low levels of tannin (far lower then other oaks) and the bark is just what the name says 'Cork" Cork Oak is originally from southern Europe and is the source of all natural cork. The bark is very thick and well, cork like. It can be found wherever there are old wine growing areas as it was grown to provide corks for the bottles. It is also found scattered around the

southeastern US and California. Because of it's very low tannin content it is safe for use in food storage (the cork in the wine bottle, oil bottles, etc.) There is a similar species found native to North America, the Prairie Oak a variety of live oak is found throughout the great plains and east to Ohio. It has a very thick cork like bark, however I do not know what the safety factor for this species would be. Information on the composition of woods and related materials can be found in a number of publications, I don't remember the names off hand, but any university that has a good botany or agronomy department, or your university agricultural extension service should be able to direct you to the appropiate references. When I was researching the safe woods for our birds the Calif State University Fresno Agricultural Dept was more than helpful, completely willing to answer any questions I had and to help me find the references. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Eucalyptus - while it appears on many toxic lists I have never been able to find a good reason for it being there. The level of phenols (the toxic elements in eucalyptus) is lower than in many pine species which are considered perfectly safe. While you might want to avoid the foliage there doesn't appear to be any reason to do so. Considering that many lorikeet and cockatoo species eat the flowers and new leaves in the wild, and that it is the dominant native wood for Australia concern over it's toxicity seems exaggerated. Among the people I have discussed this with who feel it is a completely safe plant are Dick Schroeder, Dale Thompson, Gene Hall, Bryce Evans (all large breeders), Sue Lynch DVM, Daphne Hill DVM, and Christine McFadden DVM (AAV certified) as well as Ron Marhenke a chemist at CSUF (who also feels concerns about oak are over blown). faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Oak (except Tan Oak which should be avoided because of the VERY high tannin content) though there is some controversy about Oak it appears that the wood should be safe. the bark leaves and especially the acorns have much higher levels of tannins and should be avoided. While many bird species including many parrots regularly feed on nuts and vegetation that have levels of tannin much higher than oaks, it is unclear how their bodies deal with the substance and it is therefore probably advisable to avoid high doses. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Cherry - this one is really controversial. there are confirmed cases of dogs and of horses having fatal reactions to eating cherry wood. However I have been unable to find any confirmed report of bird fatalities. Regardless the sap is what contains the toxic elements (see Gillians Help pages) and that is contained primarily in the Cambium, a layer of material just below the bark. If cherry is to be used it should be dry, debarked and any traces of sap removed. Under no circumstances should fresh cherry, the foliage or bark be given to birds. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Ginkgo - While the female Ginkgo may have an unpleasant smell the wood, bark and foliage all appear to be safe. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Hemlock - The wood that is sold in lumber yards (sometimes called Hem Fir) is safe but the foliage is toxic. No other species of hemlock should be considered safe. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Alder - The wood appears to be safe, but I have not been able to confirm this. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Chinese Magnolia - The wood, foliage and flowers all appear to be safe, but I have been unable to confirm this. According to CSUF biologist and agronomists they could see no reason to consider it dangerous (it is not a known toxic plant) but know of no reason to consider it completely safe either. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Cedar occasionally appears on safe lists. If Cedar is to be used, Red cedar should be avoided for the same reasons as redwood. Yellow and Sitka Cedar may be safe though. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Laurel appears on most toxic lists. Most Laurel species are toxic but the Medeteriianian Laurel is safe. Distinguishing the species can be difficult though and unless the species is known absolutely it should be avoided. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

One plant that deserves mention as it occasionally appears in gardens as an exotic ornamental is the Chinese Snake Tree. This is a VERY TOXIC plant and even contact with the sap (through the skin) can present the risk of fatality to small animals and children. It is sometimes called the Lacquer plant because it was the source of lacquer. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Also to be avoided is the Pitch Pine. It was the source material for turpentine and has VERY high levels of phenols. Contact with the wood can cause rashes and the fumes from burning it have been known to cause lung and eye disorders. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Bois d'arc, which is also called the Horse Apple tree, and this is in the Mulberry family and is a safe wood.

[Macaaaw]

What is your sourse of such information?

Originally Posted by ljhassell

Wash all wood in a bleach solution, rinse then for small branches bake in oven at 250 for about 1 hour and for large branches wash, rinse and dry in direct sun.

Acacia, Almond, Apple, Apricot (*see note below), Arbutus, Ash, Aspen,

Bamboo, Beech, Birch, Bois d'arc (*see note below),

Cherry (*see note below), Citrus, Cork Oak (*see note below), Cottonwood, Crabapple,

Dogwood,

Elm, Eucalyptus (*see note below),

Fig Species, Fir, Fruitless Mulbery,

Ginkgo, Grape Vines, Grape Palm, Guava,

Hackberry, Hawthorn, Hazelnut, Hibiscus, Hickory, Horse Apple (*see note below),

Ironwood,

Larch, Lilac, Liquidamber,

Madrona, Magnolia, Manzanita, Maple, Mediterranean Laurel, Mesquite (remove thorns), Mimosa, Mulberry,

Nectarine (*see note below), Norfolk Island Pine, Nut (except Chestnut & Oak),

Oak (wood only, no bark or leaves), (*see note below),

Palm, Papaya, Peach (*see note below) Pear, Pecan, Pine, Plum (*see note below), Poplar, Prune (*see note below),

Ribbonwood, Rose,

Sassafras, Sequoia (redwood) (*see note below), Spruce, Sweet Gum, Sycamore,

Thurlow , Tree fern,

Umbrella tree,

Vine Maple,

Walnut, Willow (Goat, ***** & Weeping)

A couple of woods appear on safe lists that shouldn't or should be noted that there are problems with some species. Redwood has long been associated with rashes and the dust with lung and eye disorders. It contains high levels of volatile oils that are known toxins. Further exposure is believed to suppress the immune system.

Box Elder Wood: UNSAFE

Crepe Myrtle: UNSAFE

Chinese Popcorn/Chinese Tallow: UNSAFE

Hemlock: UNSAFE (see note below)

Sumac: UNSAFE (aka Rhus/Toxicodendron)

Gillian Willis on his website says "Do not use apricot, cherry, peach, prune, plum or nectarine. These trees all belong to the Prunus species. They contain cyanogenic glycosides which release cyanide if ingested.

There is some disagreement over whether cherry, oak and eucalyptus are toxic. However the wood should be safe but avoid the leaves and seeds and in the case of oak and cherry the bark as well. (Safety on Cherry is questionable)

London Tree is in the sycamore family, and is currently under research.

Do not give the birds redwood. The oils the wood contains are toxic. But the biggest problem is if they get a splinter, redwood tends to block the immune response and they become infected quite easily. Oak appears on a number of toxic lists, primarily because of the tannin in the leaves and acorns. In the writer’s opinion this is totally unjustified, the wood should be perfectly fine as it is not generally eaten and contains little tannin in most species.

Cork Oak - (again avoid foliage and acorns) the bark of cork oak is safe for consumption even by humans whose tolerance for tannin is much lower than most bird species.

Cork Oak is a safe wood to leave the bark on. Cork oak has very low levels of tannin (far lower then other oaks) and the bark is just what the name says 'Cork" Cork Oak is originally from southern Europe and is the source of all natural cork. The bark is very thick and well, cork like. It can be found wherever there are old wine growing areas as it was grown to provide corks for the bottles. It is also found scattered around the

southeastern US and California. Because of it's very low tannin content it is safe for use in food storage (the cork in the wine bottle, oil bottles, etc.) There is a similar species found native to North America, the Prairie Oak a variety of live oak is found throughout the great plains and east to Ohio. It has a very thick cork like bark, however I do not know what the safety factor for this species would be. Information on the composition of woods and related materials can be found in a number of publications, I don't remember the names off hand, but any university that has a good botany or agronomy department, or your university agricultural extension service should be able to direct you to the appropiate references. When I was researching the safe woods for our birds the Calif State University Fresno Agricultural Dept was more than helpful, completely willing to answer any questions I had and to help me find the references. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Eucalyptus - while it appears on many toxic lists I have never been able to find a good reason for it being there. The level of phenols (the toxic elements in eucalyptus) is lower than in many pine species which are considered perfectly safe. While you might want to avoid the foliage there doesn't appear to be any reason to do so. Considering that many lorikeet and cockatoo species eat the flowers and new leaves in the wild, and that it is the dominant native wood for Australia concern over it's toxicity seems exaggerated. Among the people I have discussed this with who feel it is a completely safe plant are Dick Schroeder, Dale Thompson, Gene Hall, Bryce Evans (all large breeders), Sue Lynch DVM, Daphne Hill DVM, and Christine McFadden DVM (AAV certified) as well as Ron Marhenke a chemist at CSUF (who also feels concerns about oak are over blown). faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Oak (except Tan Oak which should be avoided because of the VERY high tannin content) though there is some controversy about Oak it appears that the wood should be safe. the bark leaves and especially the acorns have much higher levels of tannins and should be avoided. While many bird species including many parrots regularly feed on nuts and vegetation that have levels of tannin much higher than oaks, it is unclear how their bodies deal with the substance and it is therefore probably advisable to avoid high doses. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Cherry - this one is really controversial. there are confirmed cases of dogs and of horses having fatal reactions to eating cherry wood. However I have been unable to find any confirmed report of bird fatalities. Regardless the sap is what contains the toxic elements (see Gillians Help pages) and that is contained primarily in the Cambium, a layer of material just below the bark. If cherry is to be used it should be dry, debarked and any traces of sap removed. Under no circumstances should fresh cherry, the foliage or bark be given to birds. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Ginkgo - While the female Ginkgo may have an unpleasant smell the wood, bark and foliage all appear to be safe. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Hemlock - The wood that is sold in lumber yards (sometimes called Hem Fir) is safe but the foliage is toxic. No other species of hemlock should be considered safe. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Alder - The wood appears to be safe, but I have not been able to confirm this. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Chinese Magnolia - The wood, foliage and flowers all appear to be safe, but I have been unable to confirm this. According to CSUF biologist and agronomists they could see no reason to consider it dangerous (it is not a known toxic plant) but know of no reason to consider it completely safe either. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Cedar occasionally appears on safe lists. If Cedar is to be used, Red cedar should be avoided for the same reasons as redwood. Yellow and Sitka Cedar may be safe though. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Laurel appears on most toxic lists. Most Laurel species are toxic but the Medeteriianian Laurel is safe. Distinguishing the species can be difficult though and unless the species is known absolutely it should be avoided. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

One plant that deserves mention as it occasionally appears in gardens as an exotic ornamental is the Chinese Snake Tree. This is a VERY TOXIC plant and even contact with the sap (through the skin) can present the risk of fatality to small animals and children. It is sometimes called the Lacquer plant because it was the source of lacquer. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Also to be avoided is the Pitch Pine. It was the source material for turpentine and has VERY high levels of phenols. Contact with the wood can cause rashes and the fumes from burning it have been known to cause lung and eye disorders. faw@ix.netcom.com (Frederick Wilson)

Bois d'arc, which is also called the Horse Apple tree, and this is in the Mulberry family and is a safe wood.

[Macaaaw]

Found it!

The web site below seems to have more good reading, worth a look.

Safe & Unsafe Woods

The information is a little dated with no footnotes as to where the information came from.

It is also noted the warnings are for Cockatoos & Conures. I do not know if something is bad for them, if it is a no no for macaws.

[ljhassell]

Plants Considered Harmful to Birds
Plant Name Scientific Name Parts Known to be Poisonous
Amaryllis Amaryllidaceae Bulbs
American Yew Taxus canadensis Needles, seeds
Azalea Rhododendron occidentale Leaves
Balsam pear Memordica charantia Seeds, outer rind of fruit
Baneberry Actaia spp. Berries, roots
Bird of Paradise Caesalpina gilliesii Seeds
Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia Bark, sprouts, foliage
Bluegreen algae Schizophycaea spp. Some forms toxic
Boxwood Buxus sempervirens Leaves, stems
Buckthorn Rhamnus spp. Fruit, bark
Buttercup Ranunculus spp. Sap, bulbs
Calla lily Zantedeschia aethiopica Leaves
Caladium Caladium spp. Leaves
Castor bean (castor oil plant) Ricinus communis Beans, leaves
Chalice vine Solandra spp. All parts
Cherry tree Prunus spp. Bark, twigs, leaves, pits
Christmas candle Pedilanthus tithymaloides Sap
Clematis Clematis spp. All parts
Coral plant Jatropha multifida Seeds
Cowslip Caltha polustris Seeds
Daffodil Narcissus spp. Bulbs
Daphne Daphne spp. Berries
Datura Datura spp. Berries
Deadly amanita Amanita muscaria All parts
Death camas Zygadenis elegans All parts
Delphinium Delphinium spp. All parts
Dieffenbachia Dieffenbachia picta Leaves
Eggplant Solanaceae spp. All parts but fruit
Elephant's ear (taro) Colocasis spp. Leaves, stem
English ivy Ilex aquafolium Berries, leaves
English yew Taxus baccata needles, seeds
False henbane Veratrum woodii All parts
Fly agaric mushroom (deadly amanita) Amanita muscaria All parts
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Leaves, seeds
Golden chain (laburnum) Laburnum anagyroides All parts, especially seeds
Hemlock, poison Conium spp. All parts, especially roots and seeds
Hemlock, water Conium spp. All parts especially roots and seeds
Henbane Hyocyanamus niger Seeds
Holly Ilex spp. Berries
Horse chestnut Aesculus spp. Nuts, twigs
Hyacinth Hyacinthinus orientalis Bulbs
Hydrangea Hydrangea spp. Flower bud
Indian turnip (jackinthepulpit) Arisaema triphyllum All parts
Iris (blue flag) Iris spp. Bulbs
Jackinthepulpit Arisaema triphyllum All parts
Japanese yew Taxus cuspidata Needles, seeds
Java bean (lima bean) Phaseolus lunatus Uncooked beans
Jerusalem cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum Berries
Jimsonweed (thornapple) Datura spp. Leaves, seeds
Juniper Juniperus virginiana Needles, stems, berries
Lantana Lantana spp. Immature berries
Larkspur Delphinium spp. All parts
Laurel Kalmia, Ledum, Rhododendron spp. All parts
Lillyofthevalley Convallaria majalis All parts, including the water in which they have been kept
Lobelia Lobelia spp. All parts
Locoweed Astragalu mollissimus All parts
Lords and ladies (cuckoopint) arum sp. All parts
Marijuana Cannabis sativa Leaves
Mayapple Podophyllum spp. All parts, except fruit
Mescal bean Sophora spp. Seeds
Mistletoe Santalales spp. Berries
Mock orange Poncirus spp. Fruit
Monkshood Aconitum spp. Leaves, roots
Morning glory Ipomoea spp. All parts
Narcissus Narcissus spp. Bulbs
Nightshades (all types) Solanum spp. Berries, leaves
Oleander Nerium oleander Leaves, branches, nectar of blossoms
Philodendron Philodendron spp. Leaves, stems
Poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans Sap
Poison oak Toxicodendron quercifolium Sap
Poinsettia Euphorobia pulcherrima Leaves, flowers
Pokeweed (inkberry) Phytolacca americans Leaves, roots, immature berries
Potato Solanum tuberosum Eyes and new shoots
Privet Lingustrum volgare All parts, includling berries
Rhododendron Rhododendron spp. All parts
Rhubarb Rheum rhaponticum Leaves
Rosary pea (Indian licorice) Abrus precatorius Seeds (seed illegally imported to make necklaces and rosaries)
Skunk cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus All parts
Snowdrop Ornithogalum umbellatum All parts, especially buds
Snowonthemountain (ghostweed) Euphorbia marginata All parts
Sweet pea Lathryus latifolius Seeds and fruit
Tobacco Nicotinia spp. Leaves
Virginia creeper Pathenocissu quinquefolia Sap
Western yew Taxus breviflora Needles, seeds
Wisteria Wisteria spp. All parts
Yam bean Pachyrhizus erosus Roots, immature pods


Source: Adapted from American Medical Association Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants (Chicago: American Medical Association, 1985); R. Dean Axelson, Caring For Your Pet Bird (Poole-Dorset, England: Blanford Press, 1984) Gary Gallerstein, Bird Owner's Home Health and Care Handbook (New York: Howell Book House, 1984); Greg J. Harrison and Linda R. Harrison, eds., Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery (Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1986) and John M. Kingsbury, Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.:Prentice-Hall, 1964).

Common Household Poisons
Acetone
Ammonia
Antifreeze
Ant syrup or paste
Arsenic
Bathroom bowl cleaner
Bleach
Boric acid
Camphophenique
Carbon tetrachloride
Charcoal lighter
Clinitest tablets
Copper and brass cleaners
Corn and wart remover
Crayons
Deodorants
Detergents
Disinfectants
Drain cleaners
Epoxy glue
Fabric softeners
Garbage toxins
Garden sprays
Gasoline
Gun cleaner
Gunpowder
Hair dyes
Herbicides
Hexachlorophene (in some soaps)
Indelible markers
Insecticides
Iodine
Kerosene
Lighter fluid
Linoleum (contains lead salts)
Matches
Model glue
Mothballs
Muriatic acid
Mushrooms (some varieties)
Nail Polish
Nail polish remover
Oven cleaner
Paint
Paint remover
Paint thinner
Perfume
Permanent wave solutions
Pesticides
Photographic solutions
Pine oil
Plants
Prescription and non-prescription drugs
Red squill
Rodenticides
Rubbing alcohol
Shaving lotion
Silver polish
Snail bait
Spot remover
Spray starch
Strychnine
Sulphuric acid
Suntan lotion
Super glue
Turpentine
Weed killers
Window cleaners

Safe Plants
Cornell University Poisonous Plants Home Page

Well after bird keeping on my own for 28 years, and being raised by an avid Macaw/Cockatoo lover, I've done alot of reading and research.

[huntress]

Plants and Pets - Non-Toxic Listing ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
Plants and Pets - Toxic Plant Listing ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.