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[longdistshtr <longdistshtr@shtc.net>]

Doreen, a neighbor cut his down and his goat ate them. All of the goats
died.  I've since been told livestock farmers avoid cutting them down and
leaving the dying leaves and/or branches for the consumption of the
livestock.
I had never heard of this and I taught toxicology for years. I knew that all
parts of the choke cherry contain cyanide.  I've heard that animals avoid
the live plant but maybe someone knows something different. Cyanide has been
used as a galenical for prevention of "cancer". It was famous a few years
ago in the form of "Laetrile".
Cyanide is the quickest acting poison and I've seen it cause death of
animals in a few seconds.  It is and was used by fanatic religious groups,
genocide attempts and executions. I like to smell it because it smells like
Bitter Almonds to most but some people can't smell it.  I also have tasted
jams made with Wild Cherry and it was good. I can't tell the difference
between Choke Cherry and Wild Cherry if there is a difference.
They are pest trees here, kinda like Sweet Gums which Lucky Pittman abhors.
Doc Lisenby
Zone 7/8