Grazed woodland shows results of soil compaction, loss off topsoil, and no understory. In addition to white snakeroot, a well-balanced woodland can contain up to half of the 50 species of plants that are toxic in various degrees to livestock. Black cherry leaves contain a substance that at various stages of wilting will kill livestock. This is the extreme, but many plants are toxic enough to make an animal lose weight rather than gain, which usually is undesirable. The net nutrient takeup would be almost nothing.
White snakeroot is extremely poisonous to livestock and people.
Materials developed by the Forestry Committee, Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The contributions of William Cowen, Extension Forester Emeritus and author of previous editions of this publication, are gratefully appreciated. All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.