Can Goats Eat Cherry Tree Leaves?
Last updated: October 1, 2026
Can goats eat cherry tree leaves? No — cherry tree leaves should not be fed to goats. Cherry leaves contain cyanogenic compounds that turn into dangerous hydrogen cyanide when the leaves wilt or are damaged, and even a small amount of wilted leaves can be lethal to a goat. The main issue with keeping goats on the property is providing them with plenty of shade, shelter, and protection from predators.
Can Goats Eat Cherry Tree Leaves?
The goat’s diet should be balanced and varied according to season, age, breed of animal and production demands. A range of forage crops including hay or legume hays can provide the necessary fiber requirements necessary for good gut health. Cherry tree leaves should never be used as roughage, a supplement, or mulch for goats. All Prunus (cherry) species, including wild and ornamental cherries, contain cyanogenic glycosides that turn into dangerous hydrogen cyanide when the leaves are wilted, damaged, or frosted, so keep goats away from fallen or trimmed cherry branches entirely.
In the spring, when new growth is being produced on the cherry trees, check the leaves for signs of a worm infestation. If a worm infestation is discovered in a location where the cherry tree grows, avoid feeding it to goats. Worms will cause bloating or swelling of the stomach followed by diarrhea or constipation in goats that eat them.
Feeding cherry tree leaves at the same time of year that they are in bloom is not a bad idea. Just make sure that more than one animal does not eat the same tree at the same time. Cherry trees produce fruit throughout the year, but more extensively in warmer months.
Do not try to prepare cherry tree leaves for goats by wilting, soaking, or any other method. Deliberately wilting the leaves, even for days, does not remove the toxin and actually increases the cyanide risk, since the cyanogenic compounds convert to hydrogen cyanide as the leaf tissue breaks down. There is no safe home method for making cherry leaves edible for goats.
Keep goats fenced away from cherry trees and remove any fallen branches or leaves promptly after storms or pruning, since wilted leaves are the most dangerous stage.
