Oak (young leaves and acorns)
Quercus spp.
- Plant type
- tree; shrub
- Settings
- Rangeland, Landscaped and ornamental
- Risk
- Moderate risk Our rating from the cited sources.
- Review
- Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photos
Planned.
How to tell it
Leathery, deeply lobed leaves with wavy edges; acorns at the base of the stems (ARS).
Look-alikes: Planned.
What to do on a site walk
- Limit time.
- Keep oak under half the diet, especially on sprouts, felled trees and acorn drop.
Why it matters
- Toxic principle
- Gallotannins (tannins)
- Toxic parts
- Buds, young leaves, acorns
- Basis for our rating
- Chewgrass rating. ARS: cattle get sick when oak is more than half the diet. Langston lists oak among plants that harm the liver and kidneys.
Signs in goats
Off feed, constipation then diarrhea, dark urine, thirst, swelling under the jaw (ARS, cattle data).
If you think an animal has been poisoned, call your vet right away.
Season
Young browse, sprouts on cut-over ground, foliage on felled trees, acorns and fallen leaves cause poisoning; less toxic as leaves mature (ARS).
Sources
Links last checked: 2026-10-31