d

Hello, first time to this news group. My brother and I
have been smoking hogs for years with various methods.
We have generally always used Oak wood, but on occasion
used Hickory, and a real good one is Orange (citrus) tree
wood which gives a great flavor but alas all of the citrus business
has moved further south of here now. We always knew to stay
away from sap rich woods like pine unless you wanted your
meat to taste like turpentine.
But my question is, I have a continuing supply of hege wood
that comes from Sweet Viburnum hedge. I've been hauling this
stuff off for years and I wonder if one could actually barbeque
with this wood. I've searched for info on any poisons that might
be in the wood with no success. Does anyone know of this
type of wood being used or any information at all on it ?
Thanks to all replies.

bubbabob

Does it smell good when you burn it? Does the smoke make you cough or
sneeze? I wouldn't try it in a good pit until you've tried it in
something more disposable. Some woods, like mesquite, although usable
when properly dried and aged, will ruin your pit when they're green.
Check with your local poison control center about these bushes. They
have all sorts of info on this sort of thing.

Since viburnum berries are eaten by animals it's probably OK but
check with Poison Control first.


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kevin s. wilson

He could also contact the county extension agency.

--
Kevin S. Wilson
Tech Writer at a University Somewhere in Idaho
"Who put these fingerprints on my imagination?"

d

Thanks to both of you. I will do that in hopes that
they have more info than I've found in previous
dealings with the county.

bubbabob

Every time I've contacted my county agent I ended up with 'duh' as
the answer to my question. Poison control docs really know their
stuff.


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yip_yap2002

This is the most complete list I've seen (it
doesn't mention viburnum):

http://www.cbbqa.com/grilling/Woodforgrilling.html

It's most likely OK as cooking wood, but I doubt
you'll find an easy answer.

-- Yip

m&m

Burn some of it and see how it smokes and smells. If it passes
that test, use it to cook a single pork butt. If the cooked meat
tastes okay, don't sweat it. Be sure to trade off between fire
size and airflow the first time out. (Don't let the smoke get
acrid.
--
M&M ("The most remarkable thing about my mother
is that for thirty years she served the family nothing
but leftovers. The original meal has never been found."
Sam Levinson)

css

I'd take the additional precaution of doing a quick online search to make
sure the plant is not in some way toxic to humans, before you inhale the
smoke or eat food smoked with it.

I did a quick search on "sweet viburnum," and here's the results:
Well known in the 14th century, Chaucer even suggested eating the berries.

Many tribes, including the Iroquois, Shuswap, and Ojibwa, have used the
berries for food; but the Iroquois used the berries to treat liver and blood
disorders. The Micmac, Penobscot, and Malecite tribes used the bark to treat
swollen glands and such related conditions as mumps. The Meskwaki people
took the herb for cramps and pains throughout the body. The Catawba people
used black haw bark to treat dysentery. Native American tribes in the
Northeast used the bark and the leaves as a diuretic and to treat swollen
glands and eye problems.

The herb was a favourite with the Eclectics of 19th century America.

Also in the 19th century, a tea made from the black haw bark was considered
a "uterine tonic" and taken routinely by women to relieve menstrual cramps.
Even in the 20th century before the advent of Midol and ibuprophen to treat
such cramps, a product called Hayden's Viburnum Compound, made from black
haw and reputed to taste and smell particularly vile, was marketed to women
for the same purpose.

In Canada, the berries are sometimes substituted for cranberries to make a
piquant relish. When dried, the berries turn black, and were once used to
make ink.

It was listed in the US Pharmacopoeia between 1894 and 1916 as a sedative
and antispasmodic, particularly effective in relieving muscle spasms from
back pain and menstrual pain.

Do not use if allergic to aspirin.