The fruits and foliage of cherry laurel are suspected of being poisonous, which is why deer don't browse on them. I would probably stay away from it.

You cannot use laurel wood. However, any wood from a non-evergreen tree which produces EDIBLE fruit or nuts is perfectly OK to use.....also many hardwoods like oak mesquite, and Alder. Cherry wood is very good, Apple wood is the BEST.....have never tried red maple.

Dan