Black Mulberry, sycamore seed balls and unknown tree, safe?

[Secuono]

We have a black Mulberry tree in the dog yard. Is it safe to give branches to the rabbits?

I forget what this tree is called and these are the best pictures I can find of it. A huge branch of it broke a year ago. I'd like to know if anyone knows what its called and if it is safe.

 

[MaggieJ]

I'm assuming that it is Morus nigra that you are referring to. Mulberry trees of various kinds are used as animal fodder and I know some members here feed mulberry to their rabbits... just not sure which species of mulberry.

Here are a couple of good links.

http://www.pjbs.org/pjnonline/fin312.pdf

http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/For ... us_spp.htm

 

[Secuono]

Wanted to add, are Sycamore seed balls safe?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I can't see the leaves very well in the pics you posted, but I think that is a Texas Umbrella, aka China Berry Tree. The tag from my variety lists it as Melia azedarach 'Umbraculiformis'. It's dark out, but I took some pics of my tree anyway.



According to the tag: This is a stout tree with purplish brown bark. Fragrant purple flowers are borne in clusters in early spring. Ornamental berries are yellow late in the season with a single hard seed often used in making rosary beads.

No idea of it's safety for rabbits since I'm just starting to add more natural feed to my rabbit's diet.

 

[Jana15]

100% sure that's a China Berry. Not sure if it's safe for rabbits. The berries are poisinous, or thats what I have always heard. If a duckling eats the berrys, it will kill it (Very tramatic experence when I was four years old, to have my first duck die of China Berrys ) : ) Possibly because of the pits in the seeds, or maybe just the toxicticy.

 

[Secuono]

They young trees have a purple, rubbery trunk. Turns woody as it gets larger. We have them everywhere here.
I don't like the look of the leaves in either tree you guys listed. I'll try and find better pics when I get home from work.

 

[MaggieJ]

Chickiesnbunnies, you need to be very careful and do extensive research if you plan on marketing sticks from your trees. Casual identification based on a few pictures you post on a forum like this does not constitute a safe ID for marketing. I'd hate to see you end up getting sued.

 

[Secuono]

No, I wasn't going to use that tree. Just the Mulberry and Sycamores. My rabbits seem to only like the Mulberry branches...

 

[Bramble Hedge]

Chickies do the trees have purple flowers in the season? the leaves look very similar to what we call a 'Jacaranda Tree'

 

[Jana15]

'China Berries' Also have purple tinted flowers. I looked up a picture of the tree mentioned by Bramble Hedge(Which are very pretty!) and they have way more flowers than the China Berry has. Here are China berry flowers

I have done some research, and turns out the China Berry is on the list 'not be fed to rabbits'! Which bummed me out a bit, China Berries are a nuisance here!<br /><br />__________ Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:38 pm __________<br /><br />[[[Edit]]] Sorry for such a large pic! Didn't realize it was that big when I got it

 

[Secuono]

I haven't seen any flowers what so ever on these trees.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

They are only about a 1/2" or less, very pale hint of purple, and well hidden among the leaves. I've never seen the profusion of blossoms above, but mine are young trees. Easy to miss... anyway, if it has fruit (in this case a berry) then a flower came before.

 

[Secuono]

ok.
Are the seed balls of the sycamore rabbit safe?

 

[MaggieJ]

I've never heard of anyone giving them to rabbits... just the leaves and twigs. You should do some research before trying it. A lot of plants with safe leaves have seeds or fruits that can cause problems.

 

[Secuono]

Alright. I had a few attached to the branches I cut, but I haven't given them the balls yet.