According to Dr. Ann Swinker, Extension Horse Specialist at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, horse owners should make sure that they use caution when planting trees in areas where horses and other livestock might eat leaves or chew on parts of the trees.
According to Dr Swinker, the following commonly available trees may be potentially hazardous to animals if they are planted in or around barns and pastures. If you want to plant these tree on your property, it is important to plant the trees away from where animals can reach them.
Remember to always provide a balanced nutritious diet to horses at all times so that animals will no eat unusual plant material, because of hunger.
Careless disposal of tree and plant pruning waste into a pasture or where horses have access can also cause poisoning. Also, make sure your neighbors do not leave pruning waste where your horses might eat it.
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- Red Maple and its hybrids Acer rubrum
- Oak Quercus spp.
- Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia
- Golden chain tree Laburnum anagyroides
- Horse chestnut, buckeye Aesculus spp
- Chokecherry Prunus spp.
- Kentucky coffee tree Gymnocladus dioica
- Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia
- Persimmon Diospyros virginiana
- Chinese tallow tree Sapium sebiferum (mildly toxic)
- Wild black Cherry
This list is not comprehensive. If you have questions about poisonous trees or plants that grow in your area, check with your local county agent.