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Almost every Cherry we cut around here has ants working in it.
Why don't you like it in the cattle pastures?
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It can kill the cow if the get to eating the leaves.
It's not a problem unless the leaves wilt. Like a summer storm blows a limb out, or a tree down.....
Then, after the leaves wilt it becomes very toxic to cattle or horses.
At issue here is what is termed cyanogenesis, or the potential to produce cyanogenic or hydrogen cyanide (HCN) compounds, sometimes more commonly called prussic acid. Many plants in the Rosaceae (rose) family and specifically in the prunus genus, of which the wild black cherry is a member, have this potential. HCN is not found in the normal plant tissue state. It is only formed when glycosides in the leaves are combined with hydrolytic enzymes in the leaves. These two materials are stored in separate sites in the plant and so HCN is formed only when the barrier separating these sites are broken. This occurs when plant tissue is damaged, through such mechanisms as chewing, frost, or damage to the tree that causes leaves to wilt.
Ruminant animals are very susceptible to poisoning from HCN. Research indicates that the lethal dose for sheep/cattle can be as little as 1 to 4 grams of plant material per kilogram of body weight, or since there are 2.2 pounds per kilogram, 0.46 grams to 1.82 grams of plant material per pound of body weight. To give this some perspective, there are 454 grams in one pound, so this is a small amount. For a 1200 lb cow, consuming 1.2 to 4.8 pounds of wilted black cherry leaves could be a lethal dose.
Signs of HCN toxicity can occur quickly, as soon as 15 to 20 minutes after ingestion. Typical signs are distress, followed by severe weakness to the point where the animal is barely able to stand, or even to the point of collapsing. Animals will exhibit rapid and labored respiration. If they have collapsed there may be kicking/paddling of the legs and/or kicking associated with seizure like symptoms. This entire sequence can progress in 10 to 15 minutes with a high dosage of HCN and up to 45 to 60 minutes with a lower dose. References state that if the animal does not die in the first hour, there is a good chance for recovery.
Source: Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Athens County, Buckeye Hills EERA, Ohio State University Extension