Some thoughtful fisherfolk left a gate open yesterday so our main mob spent a few hours exploring the exciting world of silvopasture...unfortunately they were particularly drawn to a couple of yew trees and some rhododendrons out of the whole wood. Has anyone experience of how dangerous grazing yew actually is?
Cattle eating yew...how dangerous?
- Thread starter martian
- Start date
- Location
- East Sussex
Usually pretty deadly. We used to have a patch of ground where one animal would die every year pretty much. Cut one open and found some yew in its guts. Went on a long search and on the edge of a wood was a small yew tree (3-4ft) just on the other side of the fence. You could see where it had been nibbled on yearly.
- Location
- Limousin, France
I think the word is ...very!
- Location
- East Sussex
If you've got trouble I believe drenching with coffee is the best bet.
or charcoal powder from the vet.
childhood memory is of watching 3 cows being winched onto knackermans lorry after getting into a wood.
- Location
- somerset
never had to confront the issue, but subject came up, when a friends 'nice' neighbour, planted a yew hedge, alongside the track, he moves cattle along, if eaten off the tree, not to bad, if eaten dried, lethal. Our 'nice' london neighbour planted his yew hedge, in a paddock, away from any of our cattle, but, all his trimmings, are collected, and get sent off to some medicinal company.
I its your silvopasture best get rid of the yew
as above it will kill them even more so if it wilted
that's the reason they were planted in churchyards to stop grazing
Thanks, a bit more hopeful. I normally trust the cows to eat what's good for them...they'll tuck into bracken and ragwort flowers etc when the mood takes them, I was hoping homeopathic doses of yew could be ok.
It's the fishing lake so not suitable for silvopasture... it's also the main drive of the shoot, think keeper might be a bit miffed to find cows in there
well they are in there now arent they
Goweresque
Member
- Location
- North Wilts
As little as 1g/kg can be fatal in ruminants.
- Location
- Carmarthenshire, West Wales
I think I would be inclined to cut down and burn the yew trees, better safe than sorry, was told my grandfather lost cattle to yew
i agree unless they are old, i know of some person who cut down a pair of 300yr plus old but healthy ones, when they bought the property , in a garden situation beauties, idiot.
.whereas fairly young planted in a place with any risk of stock getting in, well thats another matter...
Chris123
Member
- Location
- Shropshire
Lost 8 ewes I think it was few years Ago on some rented ground, gate was left open into a wood. All the ewes within about 5 metres of the yew so I’m guessing it’s pretty deadly. Think you should be alright if they aren’t dead already
Tubbylew
Member
- Location
- Herefordshire
I have been told that the ashes are also poisonous, but i haven't tested the theory.
That gives me a bit of hope...cows would have to eat at least half a kilo each. Looks more like they nibbled at it
Guiggs
Member
- Location
- Leicestershire
Chap in the village put all his yew clippings on a bonfire heap in the neighbours paddock where some of his pedigree south Devon cattle were grazing...
1 £25000 bull and 5 cows dead, some of which still had the yew in their mouths!
1 £25000 bull and 5 cows dead, some of which still had the yew in their mouths!
serf
Member
- Location
- warwickshire
Some say the tree predates the church, and the church was built next to the yew trees .