[AlpacaTalk] Re: Wild Cherry
Thanks Laurel and Allie for the info. I have not been very impressed
with our County Agent in years past and haven't turned to them with
quesitons in many years. But I will try giving the Forestry Service a call.
These trees are definitely wild cherry; they are covered with tiny
cherries, first red then turn black. I know the distinctive bark on
sight. The llama book I have has a toxic plant section and it says "Pin
cherry, wild red cherry, Western choke cherry covering most of the U.S.
Cyanide poisoning. Wilted leaves and bark very poisonous" It doesnt'
say anything about Black Cherry.
I read somewhere that a coffee cup size amt of the wilted leaves would
kill a large animal :-(. I don't know how many wilted leaves they have
managed to get a hold of; but I know they eat the dead ones off the
ground in fall/winter, along with the sweet gum which they also love.
I would be thrilled to learn these particular cherries are not toxic.
But the tree guys that have been out so far were readily able to
identify the cherries (I have them marked, but asked each one before we
walked thru the woods because I wanted to know they could identify any
that I may have missed) and were familiar with the problem of toxicity.
The one I liked that seemed the most knowledgeable said he had dealt
with this in Texas for many years on cattle ranches.
It is not as simple as clearing land. These are in the midst of a mixed
stand of trees and I don't want them all cut down....the pacas would
lose their much needed shade. And there are fences and
structures/loafing sheds, etc that have to be worked around. Hence the
expense. By the way, I am in GA - very hot, they must have the shade.
I am keeping the wood myself and that was supposed to cut down on the
expense as they wouldn't have to haul it off. Noone so far has said
anything about selling it for lumber (I assume that is what you mean by
valuable), or even indicated any interest in it at all. Wild cherry is
a weed around here; they are all over my property. I heat with wood and
wanted it to burn. The guy from Texas was quite knowledgeable about the
cherry wood and said it was the most valuable firewood; very dense and
hard, and had the unusual quality of burning in all colors of the
rainbow. He said he delivers firewood to the Governor's Mansion and
cherry wood is all they will take. But he didn't offer to buy it from
me; he told me that I had about 2 1/2 cords here worth about $600. Said
nothing about its value as lumber.
But I will check with the Forester to see what they have to say. Thanks
for the lead. I have never called them for anything except a burn
permit. It would be great if I could get them cut out in exchange for
the wood. I am happy burning oak or anything I can get my hands on.
But what about the problem of the sawdust left behind and the
resprouting? Any suggestions?
BTW, to the person asking about the Lily of the Valley....that is not
listed in my Llama book in the toxic plant section; tho I know I have
seen it elsewhere as a poisonous plant, like poinsettia.
Warmly, Jance
<<First thing to do is to contact the County or Regional forester and
>have them positively identify them as Black Cherry. The wilted
> leaves have cyanide in them. Wild Cherry could be any plant
> including a non toxic cherry that has gone wild. They are usually
> associated with the State's Extension office. Here is where your
> location would have been helpful in your signature!
>
> Now the other advantage to the Forester is that he can tell you the
> value of the trees if you decide to remove them. This is a very
> valuable hard wood and it might be that you could have them removed
> for minimally free or even make some money. The forester could tell
> you how to proceed and provide names of reputable companies that
> harvest for use.
>
> If you do have to remove them, please be very careful about who you
> use. There are some great companies out there that are very
> trustworthy and then there are many who will try to take advantage
> of you. If it is Black Cherry and good log size, it should not be
> cut into fire wood. That would be a terrible shame.>>
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posted by Chaddo at 7:22 PM
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