Are Cherry Trees Dangerous To Greys ?

[Guest undergreysspell]

I have 5 acres of mostly pine trees and grass that I keep mowed and clean of branches so the dogs can run and explore . There are also a few wild black cherry and cherry laurels that I have kept because the squirrels and birds love to eat the fruit. I am new to having greyhounds and because of the way my girl loves to graze, it concerns me that she might eat the fruit or leaves. The pits and leaves contain a poison that is toxic to cows and horses especially . Does anyone have these trees and do you know of any dogs that have been poisoned by these trees ? I am considering cutting them all down, but since the other wildlife benefits from them I don't want to unless they aren't safe for the dogs. I can't watch them every second when they're out in the yard and might miss them munching on some of the fallen fruit. Anyone have these trees ?

[greysmom]

The fruit -minus the pit - is OK, but you really don't want them to eat a lot of whole fruits. The pits can be toxic though I'm not sure in what quantity.

[kronckew]

the leaves are chock full of cyanide compounds. so are the inside of the pits. in some cherry species, the fruit is also contaminated until it is ripe. the cherry plant evolved to allow animals to eat the fruit after the seed is developed and to distribute the pits/seeds in their poo. apparently the poisonous parts are quite bitter & it's unlikely they are eaten on purpose, unless you have a wierd doggie.

[Guest undergreysspell]

Thanks for the input, I'm still not sure whether to keep the trees or not. Dogs do eat weird stuff !

[DocsDoctor]

Cherry laurel fruits are toxic for humans, I believe.

 

However, your dogs may not even be interested in the fruits and leaves - can you watch them out there and see? It seems to be a matter for the individual. My Doc completely ignores all the wild plums currently scattered all over the grass in the park down the road - but I know some of the other local dogs will gorge on them given the chance.

 

If your dogs do prove to be interested, could you just block the trees off from them at fruiting time? It seems a pity to have to cut down nice mature trees, especially if they are appreciated by the local wildlife!

[Guest HHHounds]

You can also use a muzzle... I have a girl who is a junk eater, so every time she goes out, she has a muzzle.

[Guest undergreysspell]

Thanks for all the good ideas !

[racindog]

Grew up on a farm. Was always told wild cherry trees were poison and would kill the horses and cattle and they're considerably bigger than a dog. Maybe you could ask an agronomy expert at your state univeristy. Really wouldn't trust anybody else to know for sure and for certain.

[Guest undergreysspell]

Thanks for the idea... I'm going to try and ask someone at U of FL ...they should be able to tell me.

[MP_the4pack]

Don't think your dogs won't like cherries. My girls go after the plums, pears, apples and melons I have. With gusto. This time of year they eat a lot of fruit.

[kudzu]

Horses & cattle, as grazing animals, are far more likely to ingest toxic doses of the cherry leaves. Dogs are unlikely to ingest more than a bit of a leave due to taste though of course there could be an exception. The fruit may be a different story. The meat of the fruit itself may not be toxic but a dog is ingesting the pit as well. Assuming the dog hasn't bitten into the pit & its exterior doesn't breakdown in the digestive tract then it shouldn't be a problem. I would worry though if a dog was out eating lots of fruit off the ground.

 

Could you put temporary fencing around the trees at least at the more dangerous time of year?

[Guest undergreysspell]

temp fencing won't work...trees are way too big and spread out here and there on the property . One 20-25 ft cherry laurel and at least four 25-40 ft wild black cherries .

[Guest greybookends]

I think at the critical time of the year a muzzle with a poop cup on it would keep the hounds from grazing on leaves and fruit.

[GreytNut]

If you can't block access to the area where the trees are (such as with T-posts and snow fencing), then a muzzle with a poop cup should do the trick.

 

If management can resolve the problem that would be a heck of a lot better than cutting down the trees. I could see them possibly eating the fruit if they tried it and decided they liked it, but I doubt they'll eat the leaves. That's mostly a problem for livestock because they pick up leaves--usually unintentionally--while they are grazing. Maple trees are problematic for the same reason. But with the exception of occasional grass-eating, greyhounds don't spend their days grazing under trees. I have cherry trees in my yard and I've never had any kind of problem. Mine haven't even tried to eat the fruit but I would muzzle them if I saw them do it.

[Guest undergreysspell]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions .I need to really think about the best solution . I want my yard to be dog safe as much as possible .

[AZGreyGirl]

As a side note... In college my roommie had a dog and we had a plum tree in the back. Although the fruit wasn't toxic to the dog, the after effects were toxic to the air in our little house. Bad!