Best trees to add to paddocks?

[dqtastic]

I’m in the PNW and am restructuring my turnouts into more of a paddock paradise arrangement. This will require that I plant a few trees. We have quite a few fir / cedars already, but what else makes a nice addition to these horse areas? I’m
contemplating willows in a low / wet spot…also have some higher / dryer spots - what works that my horses won’t destroy?

And yes I realize things will take a few years to grow

[Marla_100]

Check the poisonous tree list for your area. Something tells me I’ve seen Willows on that list, not positive.
Sorry I’m on the wrong end of the country to help you out but maybe your County Ag. Extension office could help.

[walkinthewalk]

@Marla 100

Check the poisonous tree list for your area. Something tells me I’ve seen Willows on that list, not positive.
Sorry I’m on the wrong end of the country to help you out but maybe your County Ag. Extension office could help.

^^^^This.

or you can go on line, get the Gardening zone map for your zip code to find out your growing zone. Then research Non-toxic plants & trees for your growing zone area.

I need to fill an ugly corner of the barnyard, by the road, and that’s how I found what I could safely plant in the ugly barnyard corner:). It took me less than five minutes to find my growing zone and a list of non-toxic greenery. It took me a few hours to decide what I wanted, lollol:)

[Palm_Beach]

All evergreens are poisonous. However, horses don’t eat them, or can’t eat enough to poison themselves. Gingko trees are very hardy in most areas, and have a good growth rate.

[Garythesquirrel]

There are native willows in western Washington, I have a few on my property. My horses eat the branches they can reach.

I love vine maple. They’re native so won’t require any help from you once established and have amazing fall color. I have one in my front pasture and it’s beautiful. I’ve cleared the lower limbs so it’s perfect for the horses to stand under and they have never tried to eat it.

[Garythesquirrel]

@Palm Beach

All evergreens are poisonous. However, horses don’t eat them, or can’t eat enough to poison themselves. Gingko trees are very hardy in most areas, and have a good growth rate.

Not all evergreens are poisonous. Douglas fir for instance isn’t.

[dqtastic]

Thanks all – i’ve certainly done more looking than making decisions and planting! I suppose there is no perfect solution, but fwiw willows are not listed as poisonous in what i have found and we had them in all the fields growing up. Horses would snack on them but generally leave them alone.