On Monday, 11 June 2012 13:13:10 UTC+1, Dean25 wrote:
;961287 Wrote:
I would be careful about burning it (I don't burn my Cotinus
coggygria prunings), because it is related to Toxicodendron
(poison ivy/oak), and I don't trust the smoke not to be toxic
and damage people's lungs.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Im really just looking for replies from people who have the tree! I
already know alot about it and its hardly equal to knotweed. The tree
doesnt damage anything, its been ornamentally grown in the uk for over
300 years.
Helpful comments only people!

At risk of another petulant outburst may I suggest an elegant well behaved alternative?
Aralia Elata has much of a similar look about it with none of the drawbacks of R. typhina. It is especially beautiful in age though sadly you aren't going to see a 100yr old specimen in your own garden; I had the care of one such aged specimen in my old work garden next to some Sumachs and the Aralia totally eclipsed them.
Nick knows what he's talking about, R. typhina can provoke an allergic response and some other members of the family are really nasty. I and my daughter had a very dangerous and painful run in with one some years ago.

Rod