Is a Hemlock tree poisonous?

Question

I know the Hemlock plant is but is the tree also? If it is how bad? Would it kill you? Or a cat? Is it safe to plant in your garden?

Answer 1

There seems to be some confusion with the answers here.

Hemlock tree is coniferous tree and a member of the Tsuga genus (family Pinaceae). The poisonous perennial, herbaceous hemlock plants that grow near streams and in fields (e.g. water hemlock, poison hemlock and hemlock water dropwort) are members of the family Apiaceae. Therefore the two are TOTALLY unrelated and bear no physical resemblance to each other either. The reason why hemlock tree came to be named is because someone thought that when you crush the needles (it's a pine tree) the smell is similar to that obtained when you crush poisonous hemlock leaves, but that's the ONLY connection.

Hemlock tree is quite safe to plant in your yard and is no more toxic than any other pine tree. In fact, the young needles can be brewed as a type of tea which is very rich in Vitamin C! By the way, the only toxic conifer that I know of is the Yew tree (Taxus baccata)

Answer 2

The Hemlock tree is not the same as the poison Hemlock... poison Hemlock contains an alkaloid called coniine ..... ( C 8 - H 17 - N ) which in small doses ( 75-125 milligrams ) can kill ANY human regardless of size or health. This poison acts as a neurotoxin which can cause the diaphram muscles to fail , resulting in death due to anoxia.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is a Hemlock tree poisonous?
I know the Hemlock plant is but is the tree also? If it is how bad? Would it kill you? Or a cat? Is it safe to plant in your garden?

Answer 4

It's mildly poisonous. Water hemlock, an herbacious plant rather than a tree, is the more poisonous species. All parts of the plant. Deadly Nightshade will kill you, but you didn't ask about that.

Foxglove as mentioned is a cardiac stimulant and the origin of prescription drugs heart patients use.

I don't think your cat would be interested enough in hemlock to sample it.

Answer 5

Yes it is poisonous and is safe to plant in your yard. As long as you do not eat any part of it. A cup of hemlock was Socrates fate.
Foxglove is another perennial flower that is nice to have in your yard. Don't eat its seeds. It can be poisonous too. Look up digitalis. You will find information and images of flowers and information on what can help save a life in a heart attack.

I had to come back with a bit more information. A lot of people do not realize that that gas they get while eating cabbage or brussel sprouts, comes from an over abundance of acid in their stomach, being neutralized. There is a compound in cabbage and cabbage family that is used to make their antiacids they buy over the counter. I had a grand father that repaired a bleeding ulcer simply by eating saurkraut.

Answer 6

hemlock tree poisonous

Answer 7

Scot-Rob's answer is correct. Hemlock trees are safe for your garden, and are completely different from poison hemlock. If you look it up by its botanical (Latin) name, you can see this.

Answer 8

Hemlock is EXTREMELY poisonous, and it is not advised that you plant this tree anywhere in your yard. The alkalis in Hemlock are fatal, and causes vertigo, and death almost immediately after taken, even in little amounts. Whenever you handle this plant, pleease wash your hands. You will even notice that hemlock has purple splotches on it, and when crushed has a very irritating mousy smell, which signifies its chemical content.
It closely resembles fern (dont confuse them!) vote me for best answer please

Answer 9

it is poisonous if you eat or use it!! the romans used hemlock wood to make their canteens and many got sick and died from that... if you or kitty don't mess with it it is not going to send out poisonous waves of odor or anything!!!

Answer 10

I was told that any plant with a heart shaped leaf is dangerous for birds ( or any animal) to eat.