If you have a pet, be sure they are secure around your bonsai trees. Some plants can be toxic to pets and if your pup consumes them, it could result in illness.
Be sure to regularly inspect the leaves of your bonsai tree to see if any have been chewed off. Furthermore, place the tree high up on a shelf or cabinet so that it is out of reach from children and pets.
Sago Palm
Bonsai trees offer an eye-catching way to beautify your home or office, but some of these delicate little plants may pose serious hazards to pets. Unfortunately, some are toxic to cats and dogs alike.
One of the most hazardous bonsai trees is Sago Palm. These appear like palm trees, but their leaves and seeds contain poisonous substances that are toxic to cats – they could even lead to liver failure in your pet.
This plant’s entire body is poisonous, but the seeds are particularly hazardous. When cats ingest these seeds, they will experience symptoms such as vomiting and excessive drooling; they may also experience diarrhea and become dehydrated.
Other symptoms to watch out for include lethargy and depression, black stool, and slow heart rate. Any of these can be serious and require urgent medical attention.
There are ways to keep your dog safe from these toxic plants. First and foremost, never allow your pup to chew on a sago palm bonsai.
Many people make the mistake of feeding their dog trees, which can be very hazardous for their pets. If your pup does end up eating one of those trees, take them immediately to the vet and get them the help they require.
Sago palm can cause severe, life-threatening acute hepatic necrosis (AHN). This is especially dangerous for small breeds of dogs such as shih tzus, poodles and chihuahuas.
Seeds containing cycasin, the primary toxic agent, are especially dangerous for pets. After they consume these plants, your pet will begin experiencing signs of poisoning within 20 minutes.
Sago palm toxins can cause serious liver damage and death in dogs, as well as other serious complications. Signs such as drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea should be taken seriously and require prompt medical attention.
It is essential to remember that all bonsai trees can be hazardous for your pet, so make sure you know which ones to avoid before bringing them home. Furthermore, take extra care to ensure your pets do not come into contact with any of these trees if there are children or other animals living in the house with you.
Azaleas
Azaleas are popular landscape shrubs that bloom in spring and summer. They come in an array of colors, such as orange, red, pink, purple and white. These evergreens can be used as borders or accents on their own as well as for containers. Their mounding shape makes them great for massing in shrub beds or perennial gardens.
Azaleas should be planted in a sunny location that receives full sun to partial shade. Avoid planting them beneath trees as their roots compete for moisture and nutrients. Furthermore, these flowers prefer acidic soils (pH 4.5 to 6.0).
When planting azaleas in your yard, ensure to select varieties that suit both the climate and style of your landscape. They make for great blending in with other garden plants, with their long flower stalks creating an eye-catching backdrop to surrounding bushes.
Most azaleas are deciduous, but some of the smaller and dwarf varieties are evergreen. Examples include ‘Don’s Variegated Austrinum’, ‘Keisetsu’ and ‘Silver Sword’. Most leaves are solid green but some have yellowish or white edges with mottling.
When using azaleas in your garden, be aware that they can be highly toxic to animals. Ingesting their leaves, flowers and stems can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and in severe cases even death in some cases.
Animals that consume an azalea will likely begin showing symptoms within hours. Excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea are some of the first symptoms that will appear; if your pup experiences these symptoms it’s likely they need to be taken to a veterinarian for further assessment.
Azaleas contain grayanotoxins, which are highly toxic to both humans and animals alike; however, dogs and cats tend to experience less harm from ingesting them than livestock do.
Animals typically show symptoms of azalea poisoning within hours after eating the plant, and recovery from mild toxicity takes around 24 hours. Larger doses or severe reactions may take longer to resolve, particularly in ill or elderly animals.
Rhododendron serpyllifolium, more commonly known as Japanese azaleas in the United States, is one of the most popular azalea species available here in North America. Native to Japan and China, this beautiful reblooming shrub has gained in popularity across North America too.
Silver Birch
Silver Birch (Betula pendula) is a beloved garden tree for its silver-white bark and attractive spring catkins. This deciduous (loses its leaves to become dormant in winter) native birch species is also frost hardy and makes an excellent bonsai choice due to its hardiness.
Silver Birch is a tall, drooping tree that requires plenty of space. It often grows together in a shaded grove or as an individual specimen in large gardens. Not only does it make for excellent screen or windbreak, but its branches look particularly lovely during wintertime.
It is an aggressively growing plant, growing to around 50cm per year and living up to 60 years. In the UK it can be found naturally in woodlands as well as gardens and landscapes.
Silver Birch is a relatively uncommon bonsai tree, but it’s an incredibly popular and versatile species of birch that can be trained in many styles and looks. Due to its frost hardiness, you can keep Silver Birch indoors or outdoors depending on the climate.
Maintaining your Silver Birch’s health and vitality requires providing it with a top-notch potting mix. This will keep the roots moist, encouraging healthy growth and vibrant foliage. Make sure the mix is free draining, with equal amounts of sand, peat moss and loam in an optimal ratio of 1: 1: 1.
Watering your Silver Birch Tree frequently is essential, as it keeps the roots healthy and prevents them from drying out in cold weather. Be careful not to overwater though; excessive wetting can cause mottled or yellowish leaves which is detrimental to its overall health.
In addition to watering, you will need to apply fertilizer periodically during the growing season. The ideal fertilizer for a Silver Birch is one that contains micronutrients and fungicides.
Additionally, controlling pests and diseases is paramount. Birch trees are vulnerable to aphids, leafminers, bronze birch borers and more; these can be controlled using systemic insecticides so your bonsai tree remains healthy.
Juniper
Owning a dog can be challenging if they get their mouths into something tasty. Even well-behaved pups occasionally exhibit out of character behaviors and try to chew on anything they can find in their mouth. If this applies to you, keep these tips in mind for when to stop feeding your furry friend.
Thankfully, most bonsai trees are not toxic to animals; however, certain varieties can cause serious harm if eaten by dogs or cats. So it’s essential that you test the tree’s toxicity before purchasing one so that your pet won’t be put at risk.
The cherry tree is one of the most hazardous trees for pets to ingest. The fruit contains cyanide which is toxic when consumed by pets and can lead to breathing difficulties, dilated pupils, shock and death if consumed in large doses.
Juniper tree parts, particularly its berries and needles, are toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs by your pup.
Junipers have been used for centuries in medicinal preparations and various crafts. Their sweet fragrance and calming effect make them popular ingredients in perfumes and potpourri products.
They can be harvested fresh or dried and stored for future use. Furthermore, they make an effective tea that may aid in treating digestive problems as well as other ailments.
In certain cases, juniper tea may be taken for kidney and urinary tract conditions. However, it should only be consumed in small doses and not over long periods of time as too much may irritate the kidneys.
Juniper berries are edible and can be used for flavoring foods such as meats or stews, or red cabbage (rotkohl). In certain countries, the fruit is even used to make beer.
Though most juniper species are generally safe for dogs, some do have minor toxicity levels. For instance, the berries of “Blue Star” juniper fall under level two toxicity, meaning they could make your pup very ill if consumed.