Like all false cypresses, the thuja is highly poisonous, in all parts of the plant. Children in particular and many domestic and grazing animals are at risk from thuja. When planting an arborvitae hedge, you should therefore choose a location where no one is endangered by the thuja.
Why is thuja poisonous and who is it dangerous for?
The Thuja plant is poisonous because all parts of it contain large amounts of essential oils such as thujone, camphor, tannins, terpineols and flavonoids. Poisoning leads to nausea, intestinal problems, skin irritation, cramps and organ damage. Children and animals are particularly at risk.
That's why thuja is so poisonous
Thuja contains large amounts of essential oils in all parts of the plant:
- Thujone
- Camphor
- tannins
- Terpineole
- Flavonoids
However, a life-threatening situation only arises if parts of the tree of life are consumed. The consequences of poisoning by thuja are:
- Nausea, nausea
- Intestinal problems
- Skin and mucous membrane irritations
- Cramps
- Paralysis
- Kidney and liver damage
If you suspect that a child or animal has eaten parts of a thuja, you should contact the poison control center immediately and consult a doctor.
People at particular risk
Of course, children who put parts of the plant in their mouths out of curiosity are particularly at risk. But pregnant women should also stay away. Thuja can cause miscarriage.
In gardens with children and/or pets, you should avoid a thuja hedge altogether to be on the safe side.
Protect hands and face when handling thuja
When caring for and especially when cutting the thuja hedge, plant sap escapes, which can cause severe skin reactions on bare skin.
That's why you should always wear gloves (€9.00 on Amazon), long-sleeved clothing and possibly a face mask when working on the thuja hedge.
Tip
Even if Thuja is highly poisonous, you can put plant residues in the compost. If you chop them, you should wear respiratory protection, as some people are allergic to even the smallest particles.