In the design plan for the family garden, poisonous plants are taboo. Children and pets must not even be tempted to eat toxic plant parts. Have you considered one of the magnificent maple species for planting in the bed or on the balcony? Then find out more about the poison content here.

The sycamore maple is poisonous to animals

Maple - beautiful and harmless in the family garden

Maple is one of the first trees that children can name. It's the palmate leaves, unique fall coloration, and winged fruit that make a maple tree unmistakable. For generations, young and old have had great fun with the seeds, which sail through the air like little helicopters and can be put on your nose as pince-nez.

Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and field maple (Acer campestre) are widespread in the wild. The pure species gave rise to ornamental varieties that make an impressive statement in the garden, such as the popular Globosum maple or the dramatic Crimson King maple. There is not a trace of poisonous danger for children and adults here.

These maples have been shown to be poisonous to animals

In 2012, the first suspicion arose in the USA that maples contained a dangerous poison for animals. Scientists from the University of Minnesota found that the native ash maple is the trigger for a deadly disease that has already killed countless horses and donkeys. In 2015, a German research group confirmed the suspicion that the deadly poison is also contained in sycamore maple.

The scientists at the Dutch Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Utrecht wanted to know for sure. The results confirmed the findings regarding sycamore and ash maple, but gave the all-clear for other maple species. The current state of knowledge can be summarized as follows:

  • Sycamore and ash maple: poisonous to horses and donkeys, possibly other animal species
  • Highest concentration of poison in seeds and sprouts
  • Norway maple, field maple, slotted maple and other species: non-toxic

Category:

Trees