We have wild cherry trees close to our pins - are they dangerous to deer? I was told that if the deer eat the leaves it would kill them. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Its my understanding that the leaves are harmful to ruminents when they are in wilt. When they are wilting they produce alot of tannin and this can mess up the pH in the rumen and kill deer and other ruminents. Green leaves aren't supposed to be harmful. If a limb breaks off the tree into the pen, it should be removed immediately.
Leaves, stems and seeds of wild cherry have cyanogenic glycosides. This is converted to hydrogen cyanide or simply cyanide. Very poisionous, animals die fast. If consumed, can be treated. Call vet to admiinster sodium thiosulfate and sodium nitrate (IV).
I have at least 50 wild cherry trees in my 5 acre pen and I have never had a problem. I have even fed cherry leaves to them when I trimmed up or tree or limb has fallen down. They have been in this pen for 11 years with no problem. I have other friends who have cherry trees in their pens too. The deer love the wild cherries when they drop each year. I would not worry at all about the cherry trees.
Hey Shane - I just had a lesson about prussic acid this week. My farrier noticed that my haygrazer had dark red splotches in the leaves. He told me to do some reading, and I found just what you are talking about. Kills QUICK!!! Animal walks less than 50 yards in some cases and falls over dead. Scary stuff. Difference is, when the leaves are still growing and the moisture level changes, the PA accumulates in the stem. In the case of my hay that was baled after the moisture dried back out, and has been sitting in the barn since last winter, the level of toxin has diminished to a point not leathal. But, the red marks remain on the leaves, and caught his attention. I was shocked to find out how many different trees and leaves can produce such potent toxins.
Joined Apr 2009
1,231 Posts | 0+
PA
I had two doe and two fawns drop dead from poke berries. They ate the leaves off of a plant...They drop dead one fawn was 10 feet the other was 15 foot...The first doe was about 30 foot from it the next was about 40-50 there was no signs of any problems. I had petted one in the morning and she was dead that evening...No signs of anything either no slobber...no marks on the ground perfect looking their eyes were all open and clear they all looked great other than the fact they were dead.
They say that the root has the most poison then the leaves and stem then the Berry...They say birds can eat the berries.I took them to Penn State if anyone wants the reports faxed.
They say that the root has the most poison then the leaves and stem then the Berry...They say birds can eat the berries.I took them to Penn State if anyone wants the reports faxed.
Joined Apr 2009
1,562 Posts | 0+
cental Pennsylvania
I had 3 deer die for no obvious reason this week, 1 on Saturday, 1 on Monday and 1 Wednesday, The last one, which happen to be a nice buck is being necropsied now. But after talking with the woman at penn state doing the necropsy, it sounds like there is a very good chance it is because of the deer eating so much of the fallen cherry leaves. I wont know for sure until the test comeback on Tuesday. It makes sense, there is more deer in this pen then ever before and now this pen is extremely overbrowsed, The cherry trees are the first to be dropping leaves in this pen, there is hundreds of little cherry trees, I will have to try to eliminate every cherry tree if that is what the test show the problem is.
While it is true that poke berries can be poisonus to some livestock and humans, I have often watched wild deer eat poke berry leafs, berries, and stems with no ill effect. I have them in my deer pens and the deer eat them in september and october with no ill effects.The Quality Deer Management Association Magazine's August 2009 issue has an article about poke beries and state they are a summer favorite of deer. Rick
Joined Apr 2009
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PA
It is my understanding there are times it is Ok and Times that it is not...
But I have no idea.
I will find out all the info when Penn State is done.
But I have no idea.
I will find out all the info when Penn State is done.
Joined Apr 2009
624 Posts | 0+
Clinton, PA
I know my pen is full of poke berry (which im trying to get rid of bc you can see anything) and the deer love them. We darted my one buck 2 yrs ago and he had been eating so many that his whole mouth was stained bright blue. They eat them all the time and are all perfect health.
Joined Apr 2009
1,231 Posts | 0+
PA
Did they eat the other parts of the plant? The berries have the least poison. And so animals can handle them...They are all gone for now anyway.