No need that is not ignorance. My grandmother alsways told me don't be afraid to ask questions, thats the only way to get the answer
I too questioned this when I was told so I had to research it to verify also. As I tell my 4H horse project group I am still learning along with you. You are never too old
to learn..
A friend told me of a horse died from eating the wilted leaves. They seem to be poisonous for only a small period of time; the leaves or branches have to drop or break of the tree -say from a wind storm- and then wilt. That is when their sap turns to Cyanide and this last for about 24 hours. But after they have 'died' they are no longer poisonous.
Quote from :
Ohio State University Extenision Horse Nutriton Bulletin
WILD BLACK CHERRY, CHOKE CHERRY, AND PEACH (Prunus spp.) Many species of cherry and peach are poisonous. These species are characterized by alternate toothed leaves, white or pink flowers, and fleshy fruits (cherries or peaches). Crushed twigs and leaves yield a strong cyanide odor. Two native species of cherry are common in Ohio. Wild black cherry (P. serotina) is a large tree that is distributed widely throughout the state in woodlands, old fields, and along fence rows. Choke cherry (P. virginiana) grows as a large shrub or small tree and is scattered throughout Ohio in a variety of habitats, though it is more frequent northward. Peach (P. persica) is a small introduced tree that occasionally escapes from orchard cultivation through seed.
Seeds, twigs, bark, and leaves contain a glycoside (amygdalin) that quickly breaks down by hydrolysis (from bruising, wilting, frost damage) to form the highly toxic compound hydrocyanic (prussic) acid (or cyanide). Poisonings occur most frequently when wilted leaves are eaten, but have also been reported when leaves are consumed directly from the tree, or sprouts, or in dried hay. The amount of hydrocyanic acid formed once the plant material is ingested is affected by the type of stomach juices and the kind of feed the animal had previously consumed. Ruminant animals appear to be more susceptible to poisoning than horses.
Cyanide poisoning results in hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues). The first symptoms appear within a few minutes following consumption of plant material. Affected animals exhibit excitement, incoordination, convulsions, rapid and labored breathing, bloating, and coma. Death can occur in less than an hour due to internal asphyxiation.
I am glad I can actually have knowledge of something useful to pass along :bee
Also check for the kind of maple trees in your other lot sugar & red can be a problem too if they eat the leaves.
