Is It Safe to Cut Laurel

Laurel hedges may be trimmed at any time during the season but its best to avoid the coldest months of the year as the cut edges may be susceptible to frost damage. Many text books advise trimming Laurel hedging plants with secateurs to avoid cut edges to the large leaves, it really isn’t necessary.

Does laurel give off cyanide?

Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), a common garden hedge, is one such potentially toxic cyanogenic plant [1]. … When the integrity of the plant cell is compromised by chewing, crushing, wilting or freezing, the enzymes can unite with the cyanogenic glycosides and generate hydrogen cyanide (HCN) [6].

Do laurel hedges contain cyanide?

The leaves of laurel hedges are oblong, shiny and range from 3 to 6 inches long. The leaves are dark green and leathery on the topside and are light green on the underside. Laurel leaves, when crushed or cut, leak hydrogen cyanide, which can be lethal when consumed.