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Elder hedge

Shirleyad16Shirleyad16 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Have cut down very old elder hedge with hawthorn in between..to the ground..stumps remain.  Heard elder toxic and have 6 month old puppy, is it true?  Too much maintenance as hedge and wish to grow shrubs and flowers in place of hedge.  How to get rid of stumps?  Is it worth keeping just one elder to grow small tree?  Or is it toxic if chewed?

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited January 2021
    Very many plants are toxic to dogs and cats, at least to some extent - here's a list from the PDSA https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/poisonous-plants . If you avoided everything that was potentially toxic, it would severely limit your garden. The best approach is probably to train the puppy not to eat any plants, and supervise it in the garden in the meantime (same as you would with a child).

    PS I just noticed it's your first post, so welcome to the forum!
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    Never heard of it being toxic. It was planted in cottage gardens as a useful shrub for flowers and berries, also hollow stems could be used as pea shooters!

  • Shirleyad16Shirleyad16 Posts: 4
    Thanks but we are 70 and although training our cocker spaniel of 6 months we are currently improving our garden to lower maintenance.  The hedge came with the property 40vyears ago and has caused days if maintenance, disposal via skips or in our car to tip and very dangerous ladder work.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Have you tasted an elderberry yourself?
    They are not toxic, but if you try one you'll soon see why a dog would not be interested.
    They are so full of tannin that it will make your mouth feel like sandpaper - your puppy would find the same and ignore them. I have tried a couple but that was enough.
    Elderberry wine is delicious but needs a long time to mature so the tannins break down.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I think you need to cook the berries to remove toxins 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’ve certainly tasted them raw ... very astringent. Our dairy goats used to love to eat the leaves and bark, and as children we used to make peashooters out of the hollow stems  ... we’re all still here. I’m pretty sure your puppy will be absolutely fine. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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