Is it safe to have this tree/bush with a toddler running free?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by carpet_the_walls, Oct 7, 2016.

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  1. carpet_the_walls

    carpet_the_walls Apprentice Gardener

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    Hello,

    We have just moved house, and are concerned the red berries on a tree may be poisonous, as we have a toddler who's taken an interest in them.

    Thanks

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    carpet_the_walls, Oct 7, 2016
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  2. noisette47

    noisette47 Total Gardener

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    Hello:sign0016: I think that your tree/bush is a crab apple. If your toddler tries to eat the fruit, the taste will put him off straight away! Even if he eats some fruit, the worst that will happen will be a bout of tummy-ache. It is a good time to educate him about plants, though. Tell him to always bring you the fruits etc to show you before tasting!
     
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      noisette47, Oct 7, 2016
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    • clueless1

      clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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      I'd also grow a load of nasturtium. Completely harmless and perfectly edible, but with its 'nose twister' (where the Latin name derives from) flavour, it's a brilliant plant to help toddlers learn not to just eat anything.
       
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        clueless1, Oct 8, 2016
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Welcome to GC @carpet_the_walls :sign0016:

        I picked an identical fruit only a few weeks ago, and the good folks here ID'd it as a crab apple, and it was identical to the one you have. How old is your wee one? In some ways, being a crab apple might be the very way to start that learning process that not everything that looks like nice fruit is actually edible - as already mentioned the first taste would almost certainly be enough, without doing any harm.

        Reminds me of when my daughter was a nipper - we had something that had wedges of lemon, and she decided she was having one despite being told they weren't nice on their own.... so, after being told no and throwing a tantrum, and then still persisting she wanted some, I decided to give her a wedge and let her find out all by herself. Her wee screwed up face was a picture, but she learned a lesson with no harm done (and wasn't put off lemons totally either).
         
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          Fat Controller, Oct 8, 2016
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        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          I agree with all the others :blue thumb:. There are many 'poisonous' plants in gardens and kids need to learn not to try eating them. Crab apples are a non-harmful way to learn.

          @Zigs has posted a thread about some of them and I'm sure he knows where to retrieve it for you to see.

          A further anecdote about learning comes from my wife's family. They were living in India at the time and her little sister kept wanting to eat a chilli, as all the others ate them, but was told it was not good for her. Eventually, after she made a nuisance of herself, they let her have one - it was very hot. They gave her a bucket of water as well :heehee:. After that she never ate anything if she was told not to.
           
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            shiney, Oct 8, 2016
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          • Phil A

            Phil A Guest

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            I'd agree with the others that its a Crab Apple :thumbsup:

            Have a look here :)
             
            Phil A, Oct 8, 2016
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          • Kandy

            Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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            This is definetley an ornamental crab and is useful food for birds especially Fieldfares and Redwings in the winter when food is scarce.Other birds would probably be glad of them as well.

            The only concern I would have was if your daughter got hold of one and swallowed it whole then that would be a choking problem as you are probably aware..
             
            Kandy, Oct 8, 2016
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          • carpet_the_walls

            carpet_the_walls Apprentice Gardener

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            Wow, what a fantastic forum! thanks everyone for your prompt replies.

            On the basis of your advice, I intend to eat some of a berry myself just to be sure its edible. If i'm still around tomorrow, the tree stays!

            Dave
             
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              carpet_the_walls, Oct 8, 2016
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            • Phil A

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              Chew a bit and then spit it out to be on the safe side :biggrin:
               
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                Phil A, Oct 8, 2016
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              • clueless1

                clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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                Not on the carpet though.
                 
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                  clueless1, Oct 8, 2016
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                • Silver surfer

                  Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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                  Being edible and tasting nice are very different
                  All apples are edible.
                  But all apples do not taste nice!
                  Some will be hard/some will be sharp and bitter.
                   
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                    Silver surfer, Oct 8, 2016
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                  • Phil A

                    Phil A Guest

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                    While we're on apples, a cup full of apple pips contain enough cyanogenetic glycosides to kill you :spinning:
                     
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                      Phil A, Oct 8, 2016
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                    • Jiffy

                      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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                      But who would eat a cup full of apple pips, i,years ago would eat all of the apple, the core, stalk and the pips, that must explane a few things then
                       
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                        Jiffy, Oct 8, 2016
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                      • Phil A

                        Phil A Guest

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                        Bloke who liked the pips so much he saved up a cup full to treat himself :doh:

                        Last treat he had...

                        It's in one of me poisoning books:spinning:
                         
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                          Phil A, Oct 8, 2016
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                        • Phil A

                          Phil A Guest

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                          Phil A, Oct 8, 2016
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