
Green Ash
- Northern catalpas (Catalpa speciosa) are shade trees well-suited for growth near horses; Northern catalpas are safe and non-toxic to horses.
- With a rapid growth rate, this shade tree reaches a height of 50 to 60 feet and a width of 25 to 30 feet; plant green ash trees in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, as directed by the NC State University Cooperative Extension Service.
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Safe Trees
- Tulip Poplars.
- Carolina or Canadian Hemlock (not water hemlock which is toxic)
- Willow.
- Staghorn Sumac (shrub)
What trees are toxic to horses?
- Tulip Poplars
- Carolina or Canadian Hemlock (not water hemlock which is toxic)
- Willow
- Staghorn Sumac (shrub)
What plants are poisonous to horses?
Red Maple
- Only horses and ponies are reported to be affected.
- Toxicity - extremely toxic (1.5-3 pounds cause toxicity)
- Poisonous part - wilted or dried leaves
- Symptoms - breathing difficulties, jaundice, dark brown urine, death.
- Toxins (gallic acid and others) destroy red blood cells. ...
- Leaves are most dangerous when wilting (i.e. ...
What are trees poisionus to horses?
Toxic trees and shrubs in North America include:
- Junipers
- Apricot cherry, peach and plum trees
- Locusts, including honey and black
- Yew
- Oleander
- Mountain Laurel
- Boxwood
- Elderberry
- Buttonbush
- Horse Chestnut
Are magnolia trees safe for horses to eat?
Generally, if horses have adequate, good quality feed otherwise, they do not eat harmful trees/plants. From available data, magnolia trees are not toxic to horses. Here is a list of plants that are and are not toxic: ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

What trees are safe to plant near horses?
Below is a mix of deciduous and evergreen native trees to inspire your decision-making.Betula pendula 'Moss White' Moss White Silver Birch. ... Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Cimmzam' Cimmaron Ash. ... Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Tree. ... Corymbia maculata 'ST1' Lowanna Compact Spotted Gum. ... Lophostemon confertus Queensland Brush Box.More items...
Which trees are not toxic to horses?
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:Betula nigra.Carpinus caroliniana.Liriodendron tulipifera.Magnolia acuminata.Magnolia grandiflora.Nyssa aquatica.Platanus occidentalis.Sassafras albidum.
What kind of wood is safe for horses?
Spruce is the most common, followed by pressure-treated lumber (wood that has been infused with chemical preservatives under pressure to protect it from rot and insects). The latter is strong, long-lasting, low maintenance, and produced in a number of different colours.
What evergreens are safe for horses?
ANSWER:ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists—Horses.Pinus echinata (shortleaf pine)Pinus taeda (loblolly pine)Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) This species appears on the Non-Toxic portion of the ASPCA list.Morella cerifera (wax myrtle)Dryopteris carthusiana (spinulose woodfern)More items...•
What is the most poisonous plant to horses?
Yew is one of the most toxic plants for horses.
Are pine trees safe for horses?
Several types of pine needles are toxic to horses. But it's not just the needles that can cause serious problems. The bark and branches can also be unsafe for horses to eat. The pine tree that poses the most serious risk to horses is the Ponderosa.
Can you have trees in a horse pasture?
Trees are a beautiful source of shade in horse pastures, providing a lovely, picturesque landscape. Most of the time, trees pose no risks to horses in pastures.
Are cedar trees toxic to horses?
Cedar trees come in many varieties and species including white cedar, western red cedar, and eastern red cedar among others. Unfortunately, many of these species are quite toxic to livestock, and you shouldn't have cattle grazing around cedar trees.
Is cedar wood toxic to horses?
Cedarwood Oil And Horses When it comes to cedarwood oil specifically, some species of cedar—like Western red cedar and white cedar for example—are naturally toxic and irritating, and should never be used in topical horse products.
Why do horses eat bark off trees?
In terms of stripping bark off trees, your horse may be exhibiting what is called a stereotypic behavior, or vice, like cribbing. It is possible this is a bad habit your horse has brought with him to his new home, or a sign of boredom.
Are all maple trees toxic to horses?
Horses must eat 1.5 to 3 pounds of dried or wilted maple leaves per 1,000 pounds of bodyweight to become sick. Fresh maple leaves aren't toxic. Dried maple leaves can remain toxic for four weeks, but they aren't generally believed to retain toxicity the following spring.
Are eucalyptus trees poisonous to horses?
There are a number of trees and shrubs that can provide a quick screening effect; here are a few that will do well in our area of California and are the least toxic to horses: * Eucalyptus. "Horses tend to leave eucalyptus trees alone," says Dr. Galey.
Can you have trees in a horse pasture?
Trees are a beautiful source of shade in horse pastures, providing a lovely, picturesque landscape. Most of the time, trees pose no risks to horses in pastures.
Are oak trees toxic to horses?
Red maple leaves and acorns from oak trees pose very serious threats to horses. Both are highly toxic and can cause serious harm and death if ingested.
Are all maple trees toxic to horses?
Horses must eat 1.5 to 3 pounds of dried or wilted maple leaves per 1,000 pounds of bodyweight to become sick. Fresh maple leaves aren't toxic. Dried maple leaves can remain toxic for four weeks, but they aren't generally believed to retain toxicity the following spring.
Are cedar trees toxic to horses?
Cedar trees come in many varieties and species including white cedar, western red cedar, and eastern red cedar among others. Unfortunately, many of these species are quite toxic to livestock, and you shouldn't have cattle grazing around cedar trees.
What trees are good for horses?
This makes the decision around tree selection very important. Fruit or nut-bearing trees can contribute to colic in horses while there are other trees that are toxic enough to sicken or kill. Acer rubrum (Canadian Maple), Acer saccharum (Sugar ...
What is the poisonous tree that is poisonous to horses?
Taxus (English yew, Canada yew and Japanese yew - and their hybrids) - The needles and seeds of these trees are highly poisonous to horses, cattle, sheep and goats. Privet – Privet leaves and berries that are poisonous to horses and are known to cause gastrointestinal and nervous system distress, causing convulsions, paralysis, and even death. ...
What is the colour of the Australian native tree?
This attractive Australian native tree is loved for its smooth bark that is slightly purple in colour. It has large and twisted limbs and a very large expanded trunk base. It bears white flower clusters in spring. This tree has opposite leaves compared to alternate leaves as seen in eucalypt tree varieties. It has beautiful red new growth. 40cm/27L 50cm/52L 100L
How long have specialty trees been around?
For more than 44 years Speciality Trees has been a leader in the production and supply of advanced environmentally sustainable, containerised landscape trees for local government, the landscaping industry and retailers.
What is the poison in a horse chestnut?
Aesculus (Horse Chestnut) - The toxin is present in the nuts, leaves or new growth. Symptoms of poisoning include depression, muscle tremors or spasms, lack of coordination, colic, pain and paralysis. Juglans nigra (Black walnut) - The bark, nuts, roots, pollen and fallen leaves contain juglone, a compound which is toxic to horses.
Why do horses avoid trees?
Most horses will avoid poisonous trees and plants because they are unpalatable and have a bitter taste and/or smell. But during periods of drought or when pastures are overgrazed, animals just might begin to investigate the undesirable ones. And then you probably get a few horses that simply nibble on anything.
What is a Moss White Silver Birch?
Betula pendula 'Moss White' Moss White Silver Birch. Silver Birch is a popular deciduous tree that is available in multiple sizes. 'Moss White' begins with a grey trunk that eventually over time turns to white - quite a feature during winter when limbs are bare.
What trees are toxic to horses?
Toxic trees and shrubs in North America include: Junipers. Cherry, Peach and Plum trees. Locusts, including honey and black. Yew.
What to do if your horse eats a tree?
If you suspect your horse has eaten parts of a toxic tree, call your veterinarian. Prompt veterinary treatment may be required.
What do horses eat?
But, if it gets bored or hungry, to satisfy its need to graze, your horse might try chewing on tree bark, branches or leaves. Some horses love the taste of willow, staghorn sumac, and a few others. Others nibble out of habit or curiosity, rather than hunger or taste.
Can horses touch trees?
They probably don’t taste good, and if better food is available, the horse won’t touch them. But if your horse gets hungry or greedy, a stomach full of leaves or tender bark could spell trouble, however. Because most of these toxic trees don’t taste very good, horses will leave them alone.
Can horses plant trees in pastures?
Generally, horse owners don’t plant trees in pastures for this reason. Saplings have a good chance of being aggressively pruned by horses--to the point where you’ll be left with nothing but a ragged stick.
Is maple a hybrid?
Any variety of maple, other than red--as long as it hasn’t hybridized with red maple.
Can horses eat leaves?
Even though these trees are safe, a horse can still overeat bark, twigs or leaves, which can lead to colic. If you notice your horse is sampling the greenery, be sure it isn't gorging itself.
What type of pine tree is best for horses?
A Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremonti) or Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) will provide quick shade for your horses. Recommended for USDA zones 3 through 9, the Fremont cottonwood, also known as Western cottonwood or Gila cottonwood, can grow up to 36 inches in one growing season and reaches heights of 40 to 80 feet with a canopy width of 30 to 50 feet. As a riparian tree, it grows in wet soil near a water source. Monterey pine can grow more than 36 inches and tops out at 80 to 100 feet with a 25- to 35-foot canopy. Wind and smog tolerant, it is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10 and is best grown in coastal regions with high humidity.
What shrubs are good for horses?
Short Shrubs. For low-lying shrubs that won’t pose a threat to your horses, plant dwarf coyotebrush (Baccharis pilularis) or bush chinquapin ( Chrysolepis sempervirens). Recommended for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8b to 10, the evergreen foliage of dwarf coyotebrush grows to about 1 foot tall with a 12-foot spread.
Do horses graze on trees?
As natural foragers, horses will graze the day away if you let them. Luckily, though, they have discerning tastes and if provided with quality forage rarely will opt for the unpalatable, bitter taste of toxic shrubs and trees. If they do happen to dine on a poisonous plant, their sheer size works to their advantage – it would take ...
Hedgerow maintenance
Trees and hedges both need protecting, especially in the early years after planting. Trees can be surrounded by a metal or wood guard, or an electric fence. Fencing or electric tape can be used to protect hedges.
Warning: equine atypical myopathy
Vet Karen Coumbe warns that autumn and spring are the high-risk seasons for this disease, which has a high fatality rate. The disease is thought to be linked to eating the seeds from the Maple tree family, including sycamore and box elder.
The safe options
According to the British Horse Society, the following are not poisonous:
Trees and plants to avoid
For more information and a full list of plants poisonous to horses visit www.bhs.org.uk
What is the poisonous tree that is poisonous to horses?
10. Horse Chestnut. Horse Chestnut tree. Photo by Whiteaster/Shutterstock. Also known regionally as “buckeyes,” the leaves, seeds, and sprouts of horse chestnut trees are poisonous to horses and can cause multiple digestive ailments, and, if severe enough, some nervous system issues.
Why do horses like oak trees?
But one place you might not want oak trees is in or alongside your horse pastures. Oaks leaves contain tannic acid, which can cause colic and other digestive problems in horses. The buds and twigs of oak leaves also contain tannins, as do the acorns. The risk in the leaves probably decreases as the leaves decompose, so fresh spring leaves are likely more potent than old brown leaves on the ground from last year. Oak trees are common all over the U.S. and tend to leaf out a little later in the spring than some tree species.
Why are prunus leaves poisonous?
They’re all poisonous to horses in basically the same way; leaves from prunus trees become more toxic after they’ve fallen from the tree and begun to wilt, because it’s at this stage that the leaves contain cyanide. The bark and young shoots are also poisonous, as well as the fruit pits.
Why are red maple leaves toxic?
Unlike oak leaves, in which the toxins decrease as the leaves wilt, the leaves of red maples are troublesome because they become highly toxic after the leaves have separated from the tree. It’s not known what the toxin is exactly, but wilted red maple leaves can be fatal to horses who consume them.
What trees have brown leaves in spring?
The risk in the leaves probably decreases as the leaves decompose, so fresh spring leaves are likely more potent than old brown leaves on the ground from last year. Oak trees are common all over the U.S. and tend to leaf out a little later in the spring than some tree species. 2. Red Maple. Red Maple.
Can walnut trees cause laminitis?
There are various types of walnut trees around the U.S., but the most problematic is the black walnut. Always check with your shavings supplier to make sure that it doesn’t have black walnut in the product because horse bedding contaminated with it can cause laminitis. The branches, leaves, pollen, and nut hulls of the various walnut trees can also poisonous and can cause respiratory problems or even liver cancer in horses. The problem is thought to be a chemical produced by the walnut tree called juglone, which can also affect other plants growing in its vicinity.
Is chokecherry poisonous to horses?
The berries have been used for hundreds of years by various Native American tribes, but the seeds and leaves are poisonous to horses. 9. Oleander.
