ID on bush needed

[marlowmanor]

Can anyone ID this bush we cut down? We were thinking of tossing the limbs to the goats, but not sure what it is. We don't want to chance it and it be something unsafe for them.

Top of leaves

Underside of leaves

If you are wanting to have an idea of what it looked like standing, here is a shot it is in. The bush is in the far right side by the tree (circled in red). You can get an idea of what it looked like from this picture hopefully.

In case you need to know we are in NC.

 

[Southern by choice]

Possibly a type of ligistrum and no I did not spell that right.
A close up of the leaf would be better.
Does it ever flower? Are they small very sweet smelling?

 

[marlowmanor]

Possibly a type of ligistrum and no I did not spell that right.
A close up of the leaf would be better.
Does it ever flower? Are they small very sweet smelling?

I don't recall seeing flowers on it before. My MIL said it used to bloom with red flowers, not sure if she meant this bush or another one though. I can try to get a close up of the leaves tomorrow.

Do you know if the ligustrum is poisonous to livestock?

ETA: Googled it and the ligustrum is commonly called privet. Any clue if privet is ok for goats? If it is privet it's japanese privet from the pictures I've found online.

 

[pdpo222]

Looks like Privet hedge to me too. I worked in a nursery for 7 years and we grew these. Saw on one site where several goat owners said their goats loved it. Whenever their parents whacked it down they fed it to the goats. So take it for what it is worth.

 

[marlowmanor]

Looks like Privet hedge to me too. I worked in a nursery for 7 years and we grew these. Saw on one site where several goat owners said their goats loved it. Whenever their parents whacked it down they fed it to the goats. So take it for what it is worth.

Yeah, I was reading up on it and found a site that had a couple people saying their goats loved it. Same site warned to make sure they had hay and water available too though if you gave it to them. Guess we will give it to them tomorrow and see unless someone here says not to give it to them before tomorrow morning.

 

[ThornyRidgeII]

best course of action would be to avoid giving it to them.. if you don't have a positive ID it is better to play it safer than sorry! Especially since it has been cut and now in a stage of wilt where some toxins become more potent.. I say throw it to compost in the woods.. stick with what you know.. also from years with goats, they are pretty smart when it comes to not purposefully eating toxic items unless hand delivered to them.. chances are if they were out munching they may grab a bite off that mystery plant and then move on to more palatable items.. seriously though.. skip out on the feeding of it!

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

That's not toxic to goats. idk what kind of plant it is but we have them here. They're not in with the goats so the goats don'r eat them but we have given it to them and they were fine. It's safe.

 

[marlowmanor]

best course of action would be to avoid giving it to them.. if you don't have a positive ID it is better to play it safer than sorry! Especially since it has been cut and now in a stage of wilt where some toxins become more potent.. I say throw it to compost in the woods.. stick with what you know.. also from years with goats, they are pretty smart when it comes to not purposefully eating toxic items unless hand delivered to them.. chances are if they were out munching they may grab a bite off that mystery plant and then move on to more palatable items.. seriously though.. skip out on the feeding of it!

Thank yo for your concern. I think I have identified it as japanese privet though. I also think I have given them clippings of it before and they've been fine. It's not been clipped but less than 12 hrs and it's been cold so not worried about it already wilting.

Straw Hat Kikos
That's not toxic to goats. idk what kind of plant it is but we have them here. They're not in with the goats so the goats don'r eat them but we have given it to them and they were fine. It's safe.

Thank you SHK for letting me know your goats have had it without ill effects. This plant has been in the yard since before we got the property. We've been here 2 years. DH got tired of it blocking our view of the goat area from the front door and went out there and cut it down finally (I'd been mentioning getting it cut down before).

 

[marlowmanor]

Tossed it in the goat lot today. They have eaten a little, but definitely not interested in it enough to stand in it all day and eat. I've seen my goats leave something till the leaves dry out then chow down on it so maybe they just want a little at a time of it.