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QUESTION:

Is a catalpa tree harmful to a horse?

D. J.

Catalpa tree in bloom behind a boy and a Clydesdale foal ANSWER:

Although the nectar of the catalpa tree appears to be toxic to some ants, the catalpa tree is safe for horse pastures.

Here are two lists of trees -- the first shows trees that are generally safe for horse pastures; the second list shows trees that are hazardous to horses. Remember, of course, that too much of anything can be harmful!



Safe pasture trees: *Native sweet chestnuts (the spreading chestnut tree under which the village smithy was said to stand) were decimated by chestnut blight disease across North America during the 1800's, however, there are some species recovery efforts being made.


Poisonous or potentially poisonous trees:
Photo of a Clydesdale foal in front of a blooming catalpa tree courtesy of Doug and Janice Johnstone and family of Brigadoon Clydesdales, Claremont, Illinois -- www.brigadoonclydesdales.com

By a strange coincidence, the next e-mail question I received had to do with Clydesdales!


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