Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Are my evergreens poisonous?
QUESTION:
I have a question about some Arborited looking wild evergreens I
transplanted from a field here in Southern New York State Orange County,
New York exactly. I planted them in my yard one year ago and they are
doing well. My question is one evergreen grows in the Fall or very
early spring, an orange-colored crown or star like fungus looking
growth. It feels rubbery. The other evergreen now bloomed very tiny,
smaller than a pea, whitish-blue little berry of some sort. Could you
tell me if these evergreens are poisonous to horses or poisonous in
general? could they produce contact dermatitis or worse?
ANSWER:
I am guessing that one of your plants is a native cedar and the other is a
naturalized juniper, but
you really should have them identified by a local horticulturist if you are
worried. If my guess is
correct, they should be pretty harmless to the horses. You mainly want to make
sure they are not
yews, which kill about any stock, but neither of your descriptions match a yew.