Black cherry (Prunus serotina L.) leaves have been reported to be a cause of hydrocyanic acid poisoning of livestock. It has been widely accepted that cherry leaves must be wilted before they are toxic to cattle. A study was conducted during the 1971 growing season at Bowling Green, Kentucky to determine the level of hydrocyanic acid potential (HCN‐p) in black cherry leaves and to ascertain the effect of wilting of leaves on HCN‐p. Average HCN‐p of fresh leaves from six black cherry trees was highest (2472 ppm) in the spring and decreased rather consistently during the growing season. Average HCN‐p was high in fresh leaves and was intermediate and low in leaves air‐dried for 24 and 48 hours, respectively. A negative relationship was found between level of HCN‐p and dry matter percentage. There were no consistent differences among the six cherry trees for HCN‐p of leaves. These results indicate that wilted leaves should be safer than fresh leaves for cattle consumption.
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