Can I Burn Dead Oleander?

Toxicity of Oleander

• Two primary toxic glycosides flow through or build-up in all tissues of the oleander. Neriin and oleandrin compounds exist in concentrations between .05 to .08 percent. These and other trace levels of additional glycosides make all parts of this shrub toxic to humans and many domesticated mammals. These toxins do not break down with the heat of a fire and persist within smoke.

Oleandrin Characteristics

• Once consumed, a mammal's body quickly absorbs oleandrin. Once in body, the toxin persists up to two weeks. While eating oleander plant parts remains the main concern with animal and children safety, inhalation of smoke from burning oleander is equally as dangerous. The toxin builds up in the blood, liver, heart, lung, brain, spleen and kidney tissues according to the International Programme on Chemical Safety. Cardiac and respiration problems as well as nausea, dizziness and headaches occur after exposure.

Considerations

• Burning fresh cuttings of oleander branches or an entirely dead removed shrub is inadvisable and dangerous. In some states or local jurisdictions it may even be explicitly illegal. Even with proper ventilation or safe distance assumptions, you cannot control where the heat-driven smoke moves or dissipates, especially downwind from the flames. Safer ways to destroy an oleander involves natural decomposition of plant parts in a landfill. Do not place clippings of any part of an oleander on a compost pile to decompose, where any edible plants grow, or where foraging livestock can reach it to consume the branches or leaves.

Maintaining Healthy Oleander

• Oleander plants survive outdoors year round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 and warmer. A well-drained soil in a full-sun exposure promotes densest branching and most abundant flowering. Schedule any annual pruning to shorten branch length in mid-spring. To rejuvenate old, lanky, or lopsided plants, cut back the plant to a height of 12 inches, also in mid-spring or before early summer.