This is a huge tree in my Kentucky backyard. We have only lived here a few years and this is the first year it has produced berries? I'm wondering what it is and if these berries are toxic to humans and pets? Thank you for any help you can offer.
Red Sky At Night wrote:
This is a huge tree in my Kentucky backyard. We have only lived here a few years and this is the first year it has produced berries? I'm wondering what it is and if these berries are toxic to humans and pets? Thank you for any help you can offer.
My PlantNet app says "rum cherry" with 78% surety. It is also called Wild Black Cherry.
The berries are bittersweet and edible, but not the bark, leaves or twigs which contain a chemical that can produce cyanide.
Those parts are toxic to humans and wildlife.
From Wikipedia
Biochemistry
Autumn foliage
Like apricots and apples, the seeds of black cherries contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that can be converted into cyanide, such as amygdalin.[26][27] These compounds release hydrogen cyanide when the seed is ground or minced, which releases enzymes that break down the compounds.[clarification needed] These enzymes include amygdalin beta-glucosidase, prunasin beta-glucosidase and mandelonitrile lyase.[28] In contrast, although the flesh of cherries also contains these compounds, it does not contain the enzymes needed to produce cyanide, so the flesh is safe to eat.[29]
The foliage, particularly when wilted, also contains cyanogenic glycosides, which convert to hydrogen cyanide if eaten by animals.[30] Farmers are recommended to remove any trees that fall in a field containing livestock, because the wilted leaves could poison the animals. Removal is not always practical, though, because they often grow in very large numbers on farms, taking advantage of the light brought about by mowing and grazing. Entire fencerows can be lined with this poisonous tree, making it difficult to monitor all the branches falling into the grazing area. Black cherry is a leading cause of livestock illness,[citation needed] and grazing animals' access to it should be limited.
flip1948 wrote:
My PlantNet app says "rum cherry" with 78% surety. It is also called Wild Black Cherry.
The berries are bittersweet and edible, but not the bark, leaves or twigs which contain a chemical that can produce cyanide.
Those parts are toxic to humans and wildlife.
Thank you so much. Iโm certain you are absolutely correct. Thank you.
cedymock wrote:
From Wikipedia
Biochemistry
Autumn foliage
Like apricots and apples, the seeds of black cherries contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that can be converted into cyanide, such as amygdalin.[26][27] These compounds release hydrogen cyanide when the seed is ground or minced, which releases enzymes that break down the compounds.[clarification needed] These enzymes include amygdalin beta-glucosidase, prunasin beta-glucosidase and mandelonitrile lyase.[28] In contrast, although the flesh of cherries also contains these compounds, it does not contain the enzymes needed to produce cyanide, so the flesh is safe to eat.[29]
The foliage, particularly when wilted, also contains cyanogenic glycosides, which convert to hydrogen cyanide if eaten by animals.[30] Farmers are recommended to remove any trees that fall in a field containing livestock, because the wilted leaves could poison the animals. Removal is not always practical, though, because they often grow in very large numbers on farms, taking advantage of the light brought about by mowing and grazing. Entire fencerows can be lined with this poisonous tree, making it difficult to monitor all the branches falling into the grazing area. Black cherry is a leading cause of livestock illness,[citation needed] and grazing animals' access to it should be limited.
From Wikipedia br br Biochemistry br br Autumn f... (
show quote)
Such valuable information. Thank you.
When I was a kid, we would shoot green cherries at each other out of Pea shooters. We ate a few of the ripe berries, usually on a dare. Nope, no one's eye was shot out.
Wow, I am still alive.
I use to eat these little berries in NJ.
They are very tasty and not overly sweet.
Edleberry, they were good for my asthma(per my mother).
Definitely not Eldeberry. Those are more of a bush or shrub. Looks like what we'd call a chokecherry. Dad makes jelly, syrup and wine out of them.
kenArchi wrote:
Edleberry, they were good for my asthma(per my mother).
Don't think it's elderberry the berries do look similar.
Black elderberry | plant | Britannica
I agree--wild cherry for sure. I have several around the farm.
Looks like chokecherry to me. Makes good wine.
joecichjr
Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
cedymock wrote:
Don't think it's elderberry the berries do look similar.
An awesome shot ๐๐๐
joecichjr
Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
Red Sky At Night wrote:
This is a huge tree in my Kentucky backyard. We have only lived here a few years and this is the first year it has produced berries? I'm wondering what it is and if these berries are toxic to humans and pets? Thank you for any help you can offer.
Might be choke cherry ๐ซ
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