“I’m concerned about cyanide in my compost. Is this safe to use on a vegetable garden?”
Cyanide in Leaf Litter Composting
I recently read your article about leaf litter for composting (“Leaf Litter to the Rescue: Free Fertilizer from Your Backyard,” August/September 2022) and was excited by the prospect of using my fallen leaves. Then, I read an article to horse owners warning of cyanide in red maple leaves and to not let horses eat them.
I wanted to use leaves from two large red maples in my yard for leaf litter compost, but I’m concerned about cyanide in my compost. Is this safe to use on a vegetable garden?
Thank you for your time.
Julie
Via email
Julie, you’re right to be concerned. With so many toxins in our gardens and landscapes, and so much to understand about each specific toxin, it can be disconcerting when growing our food. We’re told that organic is best, but what about organic materials that are naturally toxic?
While they don’t contain cyanide, red maple leaves and bark do contain a yet-unidentified toxin that can cause
