The real story on Cherry trees?

I am interested as well!

 

I've heard the same... wilted leaves will cause toxic death, fresh leaves in moderation don't seem to have the same effect.
Choke Cherry tree's are abundant here, and I know my mom has a couple in her pasture with her 2 goats, they stripped the bark from them, ate the leafy branches too with no ill affects

 

it depends on the poison levels stored in the trees apparently. I have heard Jill "Goathiker" explain it before. I will let her explain it again because I might get something wrong but the level can vary, so even though a goat may eat them one time and be fine, even wilted leaves, another time could cause death or serious illness. I *think* I remember her saying that anytime the trees are stressed they tend to have more concentration like when there has been a drought. But again, wait for Jill to explain it because I am just stating back what I remember and I may be remembering it wrong.

 

Ive always heard that when they are wilted. My goats stripped the wild cherry trees here first thing. All are gone but just a few.

 

Mine have access to a wild cherry in their pen. They have eaten green leaves and bark before with no ill affects. I really think it depends, which isn't a great answer. I guess to be totally safe you would keep them from it, but I didn't know it was a problem til well after they'd been eating this one, so I have chosen to leave it for now.

 

Wish Jill would find this thread and give us the lowdown on them.
I have one tree , not sure what type of cherry it is , gotta ask my husband tomorrow. But the goats have gotten to it on occasion and have eaten some of those flowery pink petals and thank goodness no ill effects. ( yet ) . They get a mouthful maybe but by then I'm ontop of them and shoo them away. I will post what type of tree tomorrow , unless someone knows from my description of the pink flowery petals.
I always thought that it was the leaves when wilting in the fall that are poisonous too. I would love to know what Jill says about this.
Thats pretty scary to think that this time my goats had no ill effects but next time it could kill them or the sheep. The sheep BTW haven't had any issues with it either.

 

Wilted cherry leaves ( think summer thunder storm blows a limb down) give off prussic acid. When something consumes them, the acid converts in their stomach and kills them. There is a very small window of danger but it is wise to check pastures after storms. Green leaves are generally fine, but it is believed that there is a link between cherry leaves, the eastern tent caterpillar and abortions in mares.

 

Good to know , thanks Dodgerdoob

 

What about weeping cherry trees? It doesn't get any fruit on it so not sure if it's considered an actual cherry tree or not...

 

Since we're on trees, does anyone know if an Australian Box Brush tree is ok for goats? We have Australian Willows which the goats devour. I have looked and looked and can't find anything about them being toxic but I thought I would check here.


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but, what about stone fruit, with the stone removed (so pitted cherries, peaches, nectarines)? can goats eat those?

 

Thanks goathiker!


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Oh my heck!!!

OH MY HECK!!!

My whole herd (four 5 year olds, two three year olds & two 60-80 day old kids) have been browsing on these the last few days when we have been walking in a new pasture. They browsed for at least 10-15 minutes on them but they are all green with flowers just a you showed. They ate a few dried leaves last fall too. I was unsure what they were until yesterday when I asked a neighbor...they loved them! I will not let them eat them again & be sure to wipe them out the best I can ASAP as well as watching my goats. I thought they would know better o things like this naturally. Aaaaargh!

 

Hope all is well with your goats TOU Please keep us posted on how they are doing !