Best shade tree by cattle

It's so location and soil specific the best thing is go talk to your local NRCS. 

ASH

kp1625 said:

ASH

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that's real smart, you must  be in the nursery trade..  with EAB, I wouldn't recommend even collecting ash seeds.   (clapping)

on the same note, with thousand cankers here, I wouldn't recommend any walnut trees either

Hmm, Aspen grow up to 3 metres/year and readily sprout shoots from ground.

We have a huge oak tree in our back yard. We rinse out under it and tie them up in the summer with fans on them under it . keeps them really cool

Zach said:

we have big oaks and hollows and those small creek trees. I think pine trees could be of benefit if you got the time. I know weeping willows grow pretty fast and can get plenty big enough, are they poisonous wilters?

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The pines recommendation is a good one, we use them to shade ponds because they grow quickly. Alders also help. I like maples but they take a while to "spray out" they just stay tall. Willows make alot of sap so I don't know about those but they do grow quickly........I live in the same region as you do.

Oak trees may vary on species as to toxicity.  In our location, what we call "black jacks" or scrub oak can be very toxic in the spring with the newly growing leaves and in the fall with the acorns.  Tannins are the culpret and can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers, and kidney failure.  In years where there is drought, it is a bigger issue.  We don't graze our brush pastures during early spring or just after acorns have started falling.  This protocol was developed due to actuall losses we experienced. 

Fact sheet below on it.

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/INF-BE_cca/INF-BE_cca08/cca0801-oak-toxicity.pdf

On the left side of the web page below is pretty inclusive of toxic plants/trees to cattle. 

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/php/plants.php?action=indiv&byname=common&keynum=1

commercialfarmer said:

Oak trees may vary on species as to toxicity.  In our location, what we call "black jacks" or scrub oak can be very toxic in the spring with the newly growing leaves and in the fall with the acorns.  Tannins are the culpret and can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers, and kidney failure.  In years where there is drought, it is a bigger issue.  We don't graze our brush pastures during early spring or just after acorns have started falling.  This protocol was developed due to actuall losses we experienced. 

Fact sheet below on it.

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/INF-BE_cca/INF-BE_cca08/cca0801-oak-toxicity.pdf

On the left side of the web page below is pretty inclusive of toxic plants/trees to cattle. 

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/php/plants.php?action=indiv&byname=common&keynum=1

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three interesting things on there, that I'm not sure about

Poision Ivy...  I have seen sheep and goats go apeshit over this stuff and never die from it.
lambquarters.. an article just came out in IL FB newspaper promoting its eating for humans.  said to eat it like candy, cooked, raw, or whatever
sweetclover..  hmm wonder why those guys cut that for hay?

I didn't read them, just glanced through the list though

I believe some of the listed plants are not necessarily toxic at all stages or at all times.  I haven't went back through the list, but like johnson grass/hay grazzer, it is very deadly with new growth just after being stressed.  Otherwise, cattle mow it down with no problems.

I thought the site would be more informative for the plants listed stating more specifics,  but does not appear to be. 

commercialfarmer said:

I believe some of the listed plants are not necessarily toxic at all stages or at all times.  I haven't went back through the list, but like johnson grass/hay grazzer, it is very deadly with new growth just after being stressed.  Otherwise, cattle mow it down with no problems.

I thought the site would be more informative for the plants listed stating more specifics,  but does not appear to be.   

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and sudan grass after a frost?

the truth said:

Bulldaddy said:

I am sure your intentions are good but "the truth" is wrong when it comes to acorn poisoning.  My comments are based on first hand knowledge but do a little research and I am sure you will agree with me on this one.  Here is a link to some good information on the subject:  http://www.thecattlesite.com/diseaseinfo/195/acorn-poisoning  There are lots of good shade trees for cattle and there is no reason to take a chance with oak trees.  By the way, acorns are not toxic to deer or hogs.

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Like I said, corn can poison them as well.. and from what I've read on overeating..  the same conditions are present.

In the long term, oak trees are best shade, IMO- again from a forestry degree holder.  There are plenty of other faster growing options out there, but some oaks are fairly fast growing for their own rights.  

Again, do as you wish, but I won't be discriminating against oak trees in  our pastures. 

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We have TONS of oak on our property, from Black Oak to Pin Oak to Chinkapin Oak. No problems with health, yet. Missouri is a top state for cattle production, and you would be hard pressed to find property without oak trees out here.
The Tulip Poplar is a great, fast growing, pretty tree. Big tulip like flowers when they bloom. They are of the family of Magnolia trees. Another great tree to plant is a Silver Maple. I planted one this spring near the NE corner of our house, it was 2 feet tall. It is now over 8 feet tall and full of leaves (at least it was until last week!). Great fast growing tree. I do water it though.
Find out what works in your area. Sweetgums may have nasty balls, but if you get one that does not produce fruit it is a great tree that works well in the west coast. Lastly, if you are near a creek, the American Sycamore is a great shade tree. The leaves get as big as your head (my first thought was my rump, but that did not give a good visual  ) and the cattle love to stand under that one. They grow wild out here in creeks, dry and wet!