Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
From: Glencoe, CA
Region: California
Topic: Trees
Title: Trees to plant around horse corrals
Answered by: Nan Hampton
The first priority, I would think, is to plant trees that won't harm your horses if they decide to have a nibble. Here are several databases that have information about plants toxic to horses and other animals:
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists—Horses
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System Here are some trees that are native to your area of California that do NOT appear on any of the toxic plant databases. Since I don't know exactly what the growing conditions of your site are, I would urge you to read the GROWING CONDITIONS for each plant on the species page to be sure that they are compatible with your site. Alnus rhombifolia (White alder) and here are photos and more information. Fraxinus dipetala (California ash) and here are photos and more information. Pinus sabiniana (California foothill pine) and here are photos and more information.
Here are a couple of pictures from our Image Gallery:
Yellow, pale green leaves on Cedar Elms in Texas
August 30, 2008 - I have had several cedar elms of various sizes planted in our yard over the last 10 years. Only the largest has dark green, healthy looking leaves. All the others have yellowish, pale green leaves. Th...
view the full question and answer
Daily water absorption of live oak from soil
December 04, 2003 - How much water does the live oak absorb from the soil per day?
view the full question and answer
Hurricane resistant alternatives to crape myrtle
September 02, 2007 - Are there any native small to medium trees (15-25 ft) to use instead of crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia indica)? Crapemyrtles come in many colors and bend with hurricane winds instead of snapping or uproo...
view the full question and answer
What eats American holly bushes in winter?
January 24, 2010 - I live in Marlborough, MA and I was shoveling snow on January 19th and noticed how beautiful my Holly bush was covered in red berries against the new fallen snow. My husband said to me this morning (...
view the full question and answer
Live oak trees with rusty spots and holes on tree trunks
September 21, 2011 - I have live oak trees that have developed rusty spots, small holes on the tree trunks and sawdust on the trees base. They were planted in Oct 2010. We have had a hot dry summer in Texas this year an...
view the full question and answer
![]() |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |