Explore Plants

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
    
 

Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - September 07, 2010

From: Glencoe, CA
Region: California
Topic: Trees
Title: Trees to plant around horse corrals
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I would like to know what types of trees would be good to plant around my horse corrals.

ANSWER:

The first priority, I would think, is to plant trees that won't harm your horses if they decide to have a nibble.  Here are several databases that have information about plants toxic to horses and other animals:

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists—Horses

Poisonous Plants of North Carolina

Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock

Toxic Plants of Texas 

University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants

Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System

Here are some trees that are native to your area of California that do NOT appear on any of the toxic plant databases.  Since I don't know exactly what the growing conditions of your site are, I would urge you to read the GROWING CONDITIONS for each plant on the species page to be sure that they are compatible with your site.

Alnus rhombifolia (White alder) and here are photos and more information.

Fraxinus dipetala (California ash) and here are photos and more information.

Pinus sabiniana (California foothill pine) and here are photos and more information.

Platanus racemosa (California sycamore)

Populus fremontii (Fremont cottonwood)

Here are a couple of pictures from our Image Gallery:

 

 

 

 

More Trees Questions

Toxicity of catalpa wood?
June 05, 2012 - Is the sawdust from cutting up a catalpa tree or the smoke from burning the wood toxic? Thank you,
view the full question and answer

Soil for Emory Oak from Dripping Springs, TX
April 15, 2012 - I bought an Emory Oak today at the Wildflower Center's plant sale. Upon reading about it when I got home, I see "it won't grow in alkaline soils." I was hoping to plant it in the riparian area ...
view the full question and answer

Controlling native chickasaw plum
July 23, 2008 - How do we kill the chickasaw plum? We have an abundance and want to get rid of them.
view the full question and answer

Do Deer Eat Orchid Trees?
March 08, 2013 - I have planted three anacacho orchid trees, however we have a lot of deer around us. Is this a tree they will want to eat? Do you have any ideas to keep deer away?
view the full question and answer

Native evergreen tree for horse pasture in New Jersey
April 05, 2009 - I just pulled out a laurel that was hiding a stand pipe in our horse paddock. We had trouble this winter with the horses eating it when there was little grass to graze on. Can you suggest an evergre...
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants's Facebook profile Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends.