[jaffab]

Hi All,

Our neighbour is about to cut down a few massive Sycamore trees as they are sick of picking out the seedlings in their field which could cause problems with their horses.     The trees are on their side of the divide, so its up to them to do it - but will leave 2 BIG holes in the divide.

Can anybody recommend me a replacement tree which ticks as many of these requirements as possible:

1) Nice wide classic tree shape (oak, Horse Chestnut, Sycamore etc)
2) Fast growing (as fast as possible)
3) BIG
4) Not poisonous to horses, goats or sheep

Thanks all.

[Ghdp]

Red oak?

[jaffab]

Red oak?

I am afraid not - our neighbour is already eyeing up cutting down oaks because acorns can also poison horses...

https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/horse-health/equine-diseases/acorn-poisoning/#:~:text=here%20to%20help-,If%20eaten%2C%20acorns%2C%20leaves%20and%20branches%20from%20oak%20trees%20pose,a%20larger%20crop%20of%20acorns.

[Penninehillbilly]

Beech?
Would also provide branches for goats.

[jaffab]

Beech?
Would also provide branches for goats.

Yes - a good option.   Prefers a well drained soil - this will be going into clay (South West wales) and is quite slow growing.   Will take decades to fill the holes

[Steph Hen]

Anything will take decades to fill the holes.

Are your neighbours aware that horses have grazed and lived under sycamore and oak trees for millennia without dying?

[Penninehillbilly]

We've just been talking about sycamore at a meeting, neighbour lost 4 ewes, some with, some in lamb, they knew they were poisonous to horses, didn't think about poisonous to sheep  .
We had a poorly sheep a week ago, luckily she recovered, but we had cut some branches off a sycamore, I noticed one nibbling, never thought anything about it, now I'm wondering.

[Penninehillbilly]

Beech?
Would also provide branches for goats.

Yes - a good option.   Prefers a well drained soil - this will be going into clay (South West wales) and is quite slow growing.   Will take decades to fill the holes

Could you fork some mushroom compost in, ? Depending how big you want them, I find them fairly quick once the roots get going.
Hornbeam is more tolerant of other soils? Also good for screen, windbreak and goats 

[jaffab]

Beech?
Would also provide branches for goats.

Yes - a good option.   Prefers a well drained soil - this will be going into clay (South West wales) and is quite slow growing.   Will take decades to fill the holes

Could you fork some mushroom compost in, ? Depending how big you want them, I find them fairly quick once the roots get going.
Hornbeam is more tolerant of other soils? Also good for screen, windbreak and goats 

Just checked.... "Beech trees, especially the fruit, called beech nuts, are very poisonous for horses. They contain the toxic substances saponins and oxalic acid."

So that doesnt work either.

[Penninehillbilly]

Beech?
Would also provide branches for goats.

Yes - a good option.   Prefers a well drained soil - this will be going into clay (South West wales) and is quite slow growing.   Will take decades to fill the holes

Could you fork some mushroom compost in, ? Depending how big you want them, I find them fairly quick once the roots get going.
Hornbeam is more tolerant of other soils? Also good for screen, windbreak and goats 

Just checked.... "Beech trees, especially the fruit, called beech nuts, are very poisonous for horses. They contain the toxic substances saponins and oxalic acid."

So that doesnt work either.

Sorry, never knew that, just knew goats love it,

[Fleecewife]

Another vote for Hornbeam.  They do well in damp clay soils, grow fairly quickly and have the advantage of keeping dead leaves on the tree during winter, which helps with screening.
Might it be an idea to grow something which is a real quick grower such as Willow to fill the spaces quickly, then remove them when the Hornbeam reaches a good size?

[jaffab]

Another vote for Hornbeam.  They do well in damp clay soils, grow fairly quickly and have the advantage of keeping dead leaves on the tree during winter, which helps with screening.
Might it be an idea to grow something which is a real quick grower such as Willow to fill the spaces quickly, then remove them when the Hornbeam reaches a good size?

Yep - Thanks to you and Penninehillbilly, I think we have a winner.   Will take a look at the Woodland trust to see what they have in terms of Hornbeam.

3 x Hornbeams ordered...... 2 to replace the stumps that we now have, and 1 to go into the Goat field (need to build some protection for it)

[Fleecewife]

Great choice [member=196540]jaffab[/member]