Sycamore Everywhere!!

[HappyHollyDays]

I have also cleared my paddock with a mower and grass box with just a tiny bit left to do with the ride on which has no box. Some of my seedlings also looked dead which was a surprise as I thought they didn’t shrivel until summer. About to send some off for testing and hoping they aren’t high but I think they will be. The stockman has offered to run the cows on the paddock for me if more appear in the next few weeks but they have no regard for electric fencing so I will have to take the whole lot down but it’s a small price to pay for toxic free grazing. My vets are reporting deaths and warning owners to be extra vigilant for the signs of poisoning.

 

[HelenBack]

I was going to ask what happens to seedlings that aren't removed one way or another? Do they die back in the summer and does there come a time when it's safe to graze the area again?

I've fenced off a large section of my field where there are absolutely loads of the things. I'm on a DIY yard so not my land, there are way too many for me to ever manage to pick them all up by hand and neither me nor the yard owner have a mower with a box. The yard owner has talked about asking the farmer if he'll put some sheep on there and/ or getting the field sprayed but neither has happened so far. I haven't seen the owner for a few days to ask for an update so it could be in progress but I also gather the farmer is not all that reliable and the owner can be a bit prone to forgetting things or saying one thing then doing another.

I'm not particularly bothered if I don't ever use that bit of the field as I have plenty enough space without it but the owner seems to be of the opinion that at some point it will become safe and has hinted that she would like it grazed at some point. There is absolutely no way I'm using it as it is though.

So if no sheep or spray happen will there get to a point where the seedlings die back and I can use that bit of the field or again or do I need to be prepared to stand my ground?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

As far as I know the seedlings and stems can stay toxic for up to 6 months so grazing them right down, picking by hand or mowing and collecting is the best way of eradicating the toxin. Spraying will kill them but the toxin remains and the dead material still needs to be collected.

It’s a flipping nightmare this year.

 

[WrongLeg]

Someone suggested that I wait for them to grow and cut them with a strimmer?
They are still at the two leaves size (in the Highlands).
My farmer father suggested rolling but the gate to the paddock is too narrow - any ideas?
Same (major) problem: paddock with two sycamores and pony still on winter grazing with way too much grass.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Someone suggested that I wait for them to grow and cut them with a strimmer?
They are still at the two leaves size (in the Highlands).
My farmer father suggested rolling but the gate to the paddock is too narrow - any ideas?
Same (major) problem: paddock with two sycamores and pony still on winter grazing with way too much grass.

If you strim you still have to collect the waste as any dead seedlings are still toxic. Rolling won’t do anything apart from flattening them. There are a few options. Pick by hand, spray and collect dead seedlings, mow and collect in the grass box or have sheep/cows eat the grass down so no stems remain.

 

[HelenBack]

As far as I know the seedlings and stems can stay toxic for up to 6 months so grazing them right down, picking by hand or mowing and collecting is the best way of eradicating the toxin. Spraying will kill them but the toxin remains and the dead material still needs to be collected.

It’s a flipping nightmare this year.

Thanks for that, that all makes sense. I'll go back to my yard owner then and hope there's some progress and be prepared to stand my ground if not. I did suggest the farmer must have some contraption to mow the area and collect up the cuttings as the fenced off area is probably over an acre and hasn't been grazed in at least three months since I got there so there's a lot of grass in there too. The YO owner didn't seem to understand what I was suggesting though, it would probably be easier if I could speak to the farmer myself but I don't know who she uses so not really an option.

It's my first year at this yard and it is a nightmare. I'm hoping if I can get this current situation sorted by whatever means then come the autumn I can be on top of picking up as many seedlings as possible as they fall and hopefully it won't be as bad a year so not such a big problem.

 

[WrongLeg]

If you strim you still have to collect the waste as any dead seedlings are still toxic. Rolling won’t do anything apart from flattening them. There are a few options. Pick by hand, spray and collect dead seedlings, mow and collect in the grass box or have sheep/cows eat the grass down so no stems remain.

Thank you - will the cows eat the sycamore seedlings and stems?
- fence not stock safe for sheep.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Thank you - will the cows eat the sycamore seedlings and stems?
- fence not stock safe for sheep.

The stockman tells me they will eat everything but you would need to see how low down they are grazing and any patches left would need checking.

 

[SEL]

Just as an FYI I saw someone post test results from seeds last year Vs seedlings this year on FB. Their seeds were at safe levels, but same seedlings highly toxic. They were obviously relieved they'd re-tested but gutted that meant the field wasn't usable.

 

[WrongLeg]

Just as an FYI I saw someone post test results from seeds last year Vs seedlings this year on FB. Their seeds were at safe levels, but same seedlings highly toxic. They were obviously relieved they'd re-tested but gutted that meant the field wasn't usable.

I’ve been told that some seeds from the same tree are toxic, others are not, so the test results are not useful: is this true?

 

[HelenBack]

I’ve been told that some seeds from the same tree are toxic, others are not, so the test results are not useful: is this true?

That's what I understood too. I've not tested but even if I did and it came back as safe I still don't think I'd feel comfortable grazing my horses among so many of them. Others probably know a lot more about it than me though.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

My understanding is that you can test leaves and seeds/seedlings from a tree one year and depending on the climatic conditions the results may show high toxicity but test the same tree the next year and it may be low. I don’t know whether the toxicity differs in the same tree and I think the only way to find out for certain would be to send multiple samples for testing. It’s expensive though, my 7 trees is going to cost in the region of £500.

 

[magicmoments]

We have extended our lease where we are. Phew. They were meant to be moving on Friday. Our vet has said 'no, no, no!' He's never known a year like it for sycamore poisoning. And he's been in practive for 30+ years. So I think we may have to re-think the valley plan. It;s a huge area. Which was great for free range youngsters with their guardians but a nightmare to clear!

Unfortunately a horse on my previous yard has died in the last few days of it. He's been grazing in that field for many years. Absolutely heartbreaking.

 

[JEB25]

I was going to ask what happens to seedlings that aren't removed one way or another? Do they die back in the summer and does there come a time when it's safe to graze the area again?

I've fenced off a large section of my field where there are absolutely loads of the things. I'm on a DIY yard so not my land, there are way too many for me to ever manage to pick them all up by hand and neither me nor the yard owner have a mower with a box. The yard owner has talked about asking the farmer if he'll put some sheep on there and/ or getting the field sprayed but neither has happened so far. I haven't seen the owner for a few days to ask for an update so it could be in progress but I also gather the farmer is not all that reliable and the owner can be a bit prone to forgetting things or saying one thing then doing another.

I'm not particularly bothered if I don't ever use that bit of the field as I have plenty enough space without it but the owner seems to be of the opinion that at some point it will become safe and has hinted that she would like it grazed at some point. There is absolutely no way I'm using it as it is though.

So if no sheep or spray happen will there get to a point where the seedlings die back and I can use that bit of the field or again or do I need to be prepared to stand my ground?

Is it not the responsibility of your yard owner to ensure that when offering DIY livery for payment, that the fields she offers you are free from toxic plants and thus suitable for equine grazing?