[moprabbit]

Just wondered if sycamore twigs and leaves were OK for sheep to eat? Thank you

[Fleecewife]

The whirly seeds are toxic but the leaves and bark seem to be OK. I have not fed sycamore to my sheep so this info is only from what I have read elsewhere.

[moprabbit]

Thanks for the reply Fleecewife. I'll see if anyone comes back to me who has actually fed them and I'll look on the Internet as well. Thanks

[macgro7]

Goats can eat as much as they want - they are more tolerant to tanins than sheep.
That saying you shouldn't have problems giving "moderate" amount to sheep

[moprabbit]

Thanks for the reply macgro7. I'll just give them small amounts.

[Penninehillbilly]

Never thought of this, might try throwing a few to my mob.

[macgro7]

Never thought of this, might try throwing a few to my mob.

Sycamore is goats favourite food - I'm sure sheep would eat all the whole forest if you let them 😉

[Penninehillbilly]

My  goats aren't keen 🤣
Someone suggested they would like the spring growth, but not later, tougher? growth,

[Rosemary]

My cattle love to browse sycamore.

[arobwk]

Sycamore not such an "unwelcome weed-tree" after-all ?!
Keep it/them pruned (under control) though !!

[Fleecewife]

I'm never quite sure why people think of sycamore as a weed tree.  Yes they seed all over the place but either animals graze them away or if they appear in the garden and you don't want them then pull them out, otherwise they will grow into a beautiful, large, well shaped and shady tree.  I'm not a tree snob - I love them.  We also grow Field maple which is related to sycamore and forms a very nice small tree with a magical bark, or fills out the hedgerow beautifully.  Our sheep certainly graze the field maples right back to the trunks and relish them

[arobwk]

I define sycamore (and ash) as "weed trees" because their seed germinates very easily producing abundant fast growing saplings, which I have to pull out of my clients' gardens all the time otherwise they would be calling in a tree surgeon idc to manage their small woodland rather than a gardener.

Buddleia can be a PITA aswell !

[moprabbit]

Thank you all for your replies. I won't panic now when they start nibbling on the sycamore. 👍