Credit: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org The silver maple (pictured here) is one of four most common of the 13 maples native to the United States. The others are include sugar maple (Acer saccharum), red maple (Acer rubrum) and boxelder (Acer negundo).

Maples are native to the United States and include the commonly found sugar maple, red maple, silver maple and boxelder.

Ingestion of dried or wilted (but not fresh) maple leaves is associated with horse toxicity. Red blood cell damage has been reproduced in horses ingesting 1.5 to 3 pounds of dried leaves per 1,000 pounds of body weight. Although dried leaves may remain toxic for up to four weeks, they are not generally believed to retain toxicity the following spring. Toxicity normally occurs in the autumn when normal leaf fall occurs.

Horses are the only species for which maple leaf toxicity has been reported. Horses are often depressed, lethargic and anorexic with dark red/brown urine after the first day of ingestion.

Maple trees in horse pastures should not be cut down. Horses should be fenced out of areas where wilted maple leaves are plentiful.

Maple Trees

The following information was provided by Krishona Martinson, PhD, Lynn Hovda, DVM, MS, Mike Murphy, DVM, PhD, and Patrick Weicherding, PhD, of the University of Minnesota.

Scientific name:Acer species

Origin: The genus Acer consists of about 115 species of trees and shrubs widely scattered throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Of the 13 maples native to the United States, four are very common. They include sugar maple (Acer saccharum), red maple (Acer rubrum), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), and boxelder (Acer negundo).

Lifecycle: Maples reproduce by seed and vegetatively by stump sprouts. Diameter and height varies by species as does longevity.

Identification: Leaves are deciduous (drop in fall) and are lobed with toothed margins.

Distribution: Most maple species are found throughout the eastern portion of the United States and Canada.

Habitat: Some species prefer wet sites; others grow mainly on uplands. Best growth is made on moist, rich, well-drained soils. Maples are a major component of many northern temperate forests.

Control: Maple trees in horse pastures should not be cut down, but branches should be kept out of reach of horses (i.e., trimmed above their reach). Young or small maple trees should be fenced for protection. Horses should be fenced out of areas where wilted maple leaves are plentiful. Wilted leaves can be a result of fall leaf shed, trimming, frost, and/or wind or storm damage.

Toxin: The toxin responsible for the red blood cell damage has not been identified, although a number of chemicals have been investigated. Most experimental studies have been done using the leaves from red maple (Acer rubrum). The authors are aware of toxicosis in horses after ingestion of other species of Acer as well.

When toxic: Ingestion of dried or wilted, but not fresh, maple leaves is associated with the toxicosis. Although dried leaves may remain toxic for 4 weeks, they are not generally believed to retain toxicity the following spring. Toxicosis normally occurs in the autumn when normal leaf fall occurs. Although studies indicate that leaves collected after September 15 are more toxic, the authors are aware of cases of toxicosis in horses due to wilted leaves after summer storms.

Toxicity: Red cell damage has been reproduced in horses ingesting 1.5 to 3 pounds of dried leaves per 1,000 pounds of body weight.

Signs and effects of toxicosis: Horses are the only species for which maple leaf toxicity has been reported. Horses are often depressed, lethargic, and anorexic with dark red/brown urine after the first day of ingestion. They may progress to going down with labored breathing and increased heart rate before death.

Treatment: Activated charcoal followed by mineral oil may be given soon after ingestion. Fluids and whole blood transfusions may be required in many cases. Vitamin C, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids may be used in some cases.

Thanks to the following maple fact sheet reviewers: Ron Genrick, Assurance Feeds and Harlan Anderson, DVM. Photos provided by Krishona Martinson, PhD, University of Minnesota Extension, and the University of Minnesota Strand Memorial Herbarium.

For more information from the University of Minnesota Horse Extension visit their website.