Shrubs and trees that cattle eat

[ladycrofter]

I was told to stick willow cuttings in a drum of water, then once they've rooted, the water becomes a liquid version of hormone rooting powder. Haven't tried it yet though.

Ours get branches off a corkscrew willow but only seem to go for the leaves. I believe aspirin was made from the bark, I've often wondered if there is an unpleasant taste to it. I have in the past cut branches if I've had an unwell animal but no idea if it helped.

I'm surprised animals would eat holly - seems painful! But the sheep often go for creeping thistle and nettle tops, so maybe their mouths are tough inside.

Seems a great idea this to vary the diet and maybe eek out the grass.

 

[unlacedgecko]

What a fascinating subject. It's certainly one I'd never considered before.

 

[Kevtherev]

 

[Kevtherev]

 

[hendrebc]

Trees and shrubs arent just useful feed in droughts either. Farm near me had ewe lambs trapped on a mountain in really heavy deep snow and no way of getting to them with feed. So he walked up with a chainsaw and some petrol to his ewe lambs all mostly there and accounted for and started cutting down all the small trees and gorse and anythig he could find for the sheep to have something to nibble on. When he ran out of petrol he left them till he could get up eith a tractor and walk them down. They ate every twig and all the bark and anything they could get their teeth around iver a couple of days. In the bad spring of 2013 my and other peoples sheep stripped bark off hedges and ate the twigs off the hedges before we could get hay to them. Ill always remeber what that old farmer told.me about cutting things down with a chainsaw to feed his ewe lambs. Hopefully ill never be in that desperate a situation to have to do it though.

 

[Kevtherev]

Sheep are quite useful being a hedgecutting contractor they trim the bottom of hedges saving me a pass on hill farms

 

[Kevtherev]

@Kiwi Pete develops a new breed of tree dwelling sheep.
And here we have it the TREEP [emoji23]

 

[The Ruminant]

Shame alder’s only 4th on your list as it’s a legume-like plant that fixes N (via a symbiotic relationship). I only found this out the other day but have researched it and it appears to be true!

 

[hendrebc]

Shame alder’s only 4th on your list as it’s a legume-like plant that fixes N (via a symbiotic relationship). I only found this out the other day but have researched it and it appears to be true!

ive got loads of alder! Maybe i need some more!!

 

[Kevtherev]

Yes alder has N fixing nodules on the roots

 

[hendrebc]

I have a new favourite tree

 

[Kevtherev]

Alnus glutinosa
I remember this from when I was tractor driver at a tree nursery soon learned all the Latin names

 

[Kevtherev]

I have a new favourite tree

Not a fan as it rams its roots up a drain

 

[hendrebc]

Never thouht of that but all trees do thst to some extent. Alder provably worse because it grows in wet places? Alder is awful to split as firewood too maybe i need to rethink my new favourite tree... that didnt last long!

 

[Kevtherev]

Never thouht of that but all trees do thst to some extent. Alder provably worse because it grows in wet places? Alder is awful to split as firewood too maybe i need to rethink my new favourite tree... that didnt last long!

Willow also a bad culprit.
Bit of useless info here but alder was used during wartime to make ammunition crates due to it being plentiful.

 

[steveR]

They go mad for young sycamore here. Elder is loved. Ash. Willow. Elm was used traditionally and would be OK as a shrub if you can find a source. Some work being done in Shropshire on this by Tim Downes and also at Silvaspin.

Photo taken at Silva spin. Interesting chap.

Not much detail I am afraid, but Linky here: http://www.agricology.co.uk/resourc...health-welfare/trees-provide-fodder-and-boost

 

[hendrebc]

Willow also a bad culprit.
Bit of useless info here but alder was used during wartime to make ammunition crates due to it being plentiful.

Been told the wood from alder doesnt rot either? It must do eventually

 

[Kevtherev]

Been told the wood from alder doesnt rot either? It must do eventually

Usually rots but not when immersed in water?
Is that why it was used for piling?

 

[Kevtherev]

Quick google search yes it’s durable underwater and was used for boats and clogs!

 

[hendrebc]

Usually rots but not when immersed in water?
Is that why it was used for piling?

That sounds familiar it might be thats what ive read about not rotting underwater. Be good for making a submarine out of