Oak leaf toxicity

[mavrick]

IM thinking some one read some where that the leaves on all fruit baring tree are poisonous, like the cherry, peach,apple so on and some folks assume it also applies to nut trees also pecan,hickory,oak,pine which is not true, also the leaves on a cherry, peach ect is not toxic when green or dried they're only toxic when wilted,

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Tannins really can be toxic; apparently it just depends on the amount consumed and who is doing the consuming. Tannic acid toxicosis involves necrotic damage to the liver and kidneys with high mortality. It seems, however, that this is not a problem with goats (or deer) because the protein in their saliva binds the tannin, making tannin-rich forage safe to eat.

I did some sleuthing.

 

[ThornyRidge]

typically stoned fruit (cherry/peach/etc) trees are of concern when they come into an "unnatural wilt" i.e. blown down in storm or cut down and left.. these wilted leaves are what would be toxic.. with that being said my property is covered with wild cherry trees and black walnut trees.. these are like weeds here in NE Ohio.. anyway I have never had any issues at all.. I do monitor my pasture areas and clean up anything of suspicion.. as far as pine goes.. well that is like candy.. in addition to the vitamins it is good roughage and also known as a natural wormer.. not to mention it gives goats good breath!!! mine love white pine and spruce varieties.. I even snap branches off and throw in pens for a treat.. ornamental type shrubs such as yew are highly toxic!! they resemble pine family are very short needled are usually a shrub type plant. As far as oak trees go I would watch for wilted leaves and try to keep acorns cleaned up.. I have never heard of toxicity but definately munching on a bunch of fallen acorns can upset a rumen and that is often considered rumen toxicity or poisoning.. and as someone previously mentioned as long as your goats are healthy and fed well they will not intentionally gorge themselves on poisonous plants.. that typically happens when they are starving.. oh and the red maple is again an unnatural wilt of the leaves.. and seems to only affect horses primarily.. I have many of them around and my goats do fine with the maples too..

 

[dhansen]

My goats LIVE in our walnut orchard which also has several oak trees in it. They eat acorns, black walnut shoots and everything. I have nigerian dwarves and nubians and none seem to have any issues with any of it. There is plenty of grass and brush to eat, but they love the acorns the best. They also love to climb in the trees to get the yummy leaves.

 

[smwon]

Mature oaks leaves are not toxic. New leaves can be and so can fresh acorns. But once the leaves and acorns are dry, the tannins are rendered harmless. How do I know? I had a sick goat and the vet thought it was the oak I was feeding her. But she had no sign of tannin poisoning, he was just guessing. It turned out she had Pneumonia. So I did a very through research into feeding goats oak. What I said above is what I learned. I cut and carry mature oak leaves to my goats every single year and they think it is candy! They rather like the dead, brown ones to some extent as well. Oak also acts like a dewormer and wormy goat really like oak leaves!

Many older goat books recommend feeding goats oak leaves and even recommend harvesting, drying, and feeding it to them in the winter!

 

[cmjust0]

Hi Linda.

(I sure hope I didn't just make myself look silly misidentifying someone...lol)

ETA:

I've been doing some reading recently on the *benefits* of tannins in regard to internal parasite control.. Sericea Lespedeza is apparently pretty high in tannins, and goats have lower parasite loads on average when they're grazing green lespedeza....I found that very interesting.

 

[smwon]

Hi CM! Nope you didn't make yourself look silly, tis me! I was wondering if you were the 'cm' I knew...

 

[cmjust0]

Unfortunately, yes....I'm still me.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

I had posted this thread before I brought the goats home while I was still researching. (Well, I guess I'm still researching, but here the goats are! )

Just wanted to update that since everything has leafed out we've been letting the herd free-range while we're doing yard work and they have been eating tons of FREE oak leaves without ill effect and they just love them. I, of course, love to see them eat free food while doing some of the yard maintenance for me.

Less money, less work. It's the best...

 

[jas]

I'm glad I found this thread. My goats pen is surrounded by red oaks. I was getting kind of worried about fall time with the acorn harvest.