WHAT TREES ARE TOXIC TO DOGS? UTAH YARD SPECIES BY RISK LEVEL
TREES AND DOGS: KNOWING WHAT’S GROWING IN YOUR YARD
What trees are toxic to dogs is one of those questions that seems straightforward until you’re actually standing in your backyard trying to identify what your dog just chewed on. The answer isn’t simple — toxicity varies by species, by which part of the tree was ingested (leaves, berries, bark, seeds), and by how much. Some trees will cause mild stomach upset. Others can cause organ failure.
This guide covers the trees most commonly found in Utah yards, organized by risk level, with specific attention to species that generate the most concern from pet owners. We’ve included the mimosa tree separately — it’s one of the most searched topics in this space, and for good reason.
I’m Gregg Nelson, co-founder of Rent A Monkey Tree Service. We’re not veterinarians, and this guide isn’t a substitute for emergency advice if your dog has ingested something. For that, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) is your first call. What we can offer is years of working in Utah yards and knowing which trees are growing where — and which ones should give pet owners pause.
HIGH-RISK TREES: KEEP DOGS AWAY
These species contain compounds that can cause serious illness — including organ damage, seizures, or cardiovascular problems — especially if a dog ingests berries, seeds, or significant quantities of leaves.
YEW (TAXUS SPECIES)
Yew is the most dangerous tree on this list and one of the most commonly planted ornamentals in Utah landscapes. Every part of the yew — needles, bark, seeds — contains taxine alkaloids that are highly toxic to dogs (and humans). The bright red berries are particularly attractive to dogs and are especially dangerous. Symptoms of yew toxicity include trembling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and cardiac arrest.
If you have a yew in your yard and a dog that has access to it, this warrants a serious conversation. Removal is one option — our tree removal service handles ornamental removals as well as large trees. At minimum, the area needs to be physically blocked off.
BLACK LOCUST (ROBINIA PSEUDOACACIA)
Black locust grows wild across Utah foothills and occasionally turns up in established landscapes. The bark, leaves, and seeds contain robin — a toxic protein — and ingestion can cause depression, weakness, vomiting, and in serious cases, kidney failure. The seeds in particular are dangerous. Black locust is identifiable by its deeply furrowed bark, paired thorns, and fragrant white flower clusters in late spring.
BLACK WALNUT (JUGLANS NIGRA)
Black walnut is less common in Utah yards than in the Midwest, but it shows up. The hulls contain juglone, which is toxic to dogs and causes laminitis in horses. More dangerous is the mold that develops on fallen black walnut hulls — ingesting moldy hulls can cause tremors and seizures in dogs very rapidly. If you have a black walnut and a dog, keep the fallen material cleaned up rigorously, especially in fall.
CHINABERRY (MELIA AZEDARACH)
Chinaberry trees are occasionally planted as ornamentals in warmer parts of Utah’s valleys. The berries are toxic to dogs — they contain meliatoxins that cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and can be fatal in significant quantities. The berries are small, abundant, and drop across a wide area, making this tree particularly risky in a yard where dogs have access.
THE MIMOSA TREE: A SPECIAL CASE
Are mimosa trees poisonous to dogs? Yes — with some important nuance. The mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin), known for its feathery pink flowers and fern-like leaves, contains neurotoxic alkaloids concentrated primarily in the seeds and seed pods. Ingesting mimosa seeds or pods can cause weakness, muscle tremors, and in serious cases, seizures.
The leaves and flowers are generally considered low to moderately toxic — a dog that nibbles a leaf is unlikely to have a severe reaction, but a dog that eats seed pods is in a different situation. Mimosa produces seed pods prolifically, and they drop across a wide area under the canopy in late summer and fall. That’s the real hazard window.
Mimosa trees are popular in Utah landscapes because they’re drought-tolerant, fast-growing, and their flowers are genuinely striking. If you have one and a dog that spends time in the yard, the practical approach is to police the fallen pods during the drop season and keep dogs away from the area directly beneath the canopy. If the tree is near a primary dog run or play area, removal is worth considering.
MODERATE-RISK TREES: MONITOR AND MANAGE
These species can cause illness but are generally less likely to cause life-threatening reactions from typical exposure. They still warrant awareness, especially with dogs that are prone to chewing or eating plant material.
Elderberry (Sambucus) — The berries, bark, and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides. Ripe berries in small quantities aren’t likely to cause severe illness, but large quantities or unripe berries can cause nausea and vomiting. Elderberry grows wild in Utah’s mountain foothills and along stream corridors.
Mountain ash (Sorbus) — Planted ornamentally across the Wasatch Front for its orange-red berry clusters. The berries contain trace cyanogenic compounds and can cause stomach upset in dogs that eat large quantities. Not typically life-threatening, but worth knowing.
Apricot, cherry, and peach (stone fruits) — The flesh of the fruit is safe, but the pits, leaves, and bark of all stone fruit trees contain cyanogenic compounds. Dogs cracking open pits or chewing bark can ingest enough to cause concern. This matters specifically in Utah County, where stone fruit trees are common in residential orchards in Highland, Alpine, and the bench areas above Provo.
ARE EVERGREEN TREES TOXIC TO DOGS?
This question comes up often, and the answer depends entirely on the species.
Yew (covered above) is technically an evergreen and is highly toxic — the most dangerous tree on this entire list. If you have a hedge or specimen yew, this is the most important thing to address.
Blue spruce and white fir — the two most common native conifers in Utah landscapes — are considered non-toxic to dogs. Ingesting needles may cause mild stomach upset from the resin, but these trees don’t contain compounds toxic to dogs. The bigger risk is mechanical: spruce needles are sharp and can cause oral irritation or, in large quantities, gastrointestinal blockage.
Juniper — low to moderate concern. Juniper berries can cause stomach upset and kidney irritation in dogs that eat significant quantities. The common Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) that grows across Utah’s foothills isn’t considered highly toxic, but it’s not completely safe either.
Ponderosa pine and other pines — pine needles and resin can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and there’s some evidence that pine needle ingestion in pregnant dogs can cause miscarriage. Generally considered low-toxicity for non-pregnant dogs in typical yard exposure.
COMMON UTAH TREES THAT ARE SAFE AROUND DOGS
Not every tree in your yard is a hazard. These Utah-common species are generally considered safe:
- Quaking aspen — non-toxic to dogs
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) — safe; the berries are actually edible for both humans and dogs
- Gambel oak — acorns can cause stomach upset in large quantities but the tree itself isn’t acutely toxic
- Crabapple — the fruit flesh is safe; seeds contain trace cyanogenic compounds but are unlikely to cause problems from typical exposure
- Maple (most species) — generally safe for dogs, though red maple can cause hemolytic anemia in horses; dog risk is much lower
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG EATS SOMETHING FROM A TREE
Act quickly. You generally have a narrow window before symptoms develop or the substance is absorbed.
- Identify what was eaten and how much. Try to collect a sample — a leaf, berry, or seed — to show your vet or describe to poison control.
- Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435. They operate 24/7 and can give you immediate guidance specific to the species and your dog’s size. There is a consultation fee.
- Call your vet or an emergency animal hospital. If your dog is already showing symptoms — vomiting, tremors, collapse, difficulty breathing — go immediately rather than waiting.
- Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian or poison control. Some substances cause more damage coming back up.
The ASPCA’s toxic plant database is searchable by plant name if you have a species your dog has gotten into that isn’t on this list.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TREES TOXIC TO DOGS
ARE MIMOSA TREES POISONOUS TO DOGS?
Yes — specifically the seeds and seed pods, which contain neurotoxic alkaloids. The leaves and flowers are low to moderately toxic and unlikely to cause a severe reaction from incidental nibbling, but the seed pods are the real concern. Mimosa drops pods prolifically in late summer and fall; keeping dogs away from the area under the canopy during that window significantly reduces the risk.
ARE EVERGREEN TREES TOXIC TO DOGS?
It depends entirely on the species. Yew — which is an evergreen — is one of the most toxic trees to dogs and should be treated as a serious hazard. Blue spruce, white fir, and most other native Utah conifers are not acutely toxic, though ingesting needles or resin can cause mild stomach upset. If you’re not sure whether your evergreen is a yew, look for flat, dark green needles and bright red berries — that’s yew. When in doubt, consult a certified arborist for identification.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY DOG EATS LEAVES OR BERRIES FROM A TREE?
Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately — they can assess the specific plant and your dog’s size and guide you on next steps. If your dog is showing symptoms of illness — vomiting, tremors, lethargy, difficulty breathing — go to an emergency vet rather than waiting. The faster you act with tree toxicity, the better the outcome generally is.
If you have a tree on this list growing near your dog’s play area and you’re not sure whether to remove it, we’re happy to take a look and give you an honest assessment. It’s not always a removal situation — sometimes repositioning a fence or cleaning up fallen material is enough.
CONCLUSION
The trees posing the most serious risk to dogs in Utah yards are yew (by far the most dangerous), black locust, black walnut, chinaberry, and mimosa seed pods. Evergreen risk depends entirely on species — yew is dangerous, most native conifers aren’t. Stone fruit pits and bark are worth knowing about if you have an orchard.
If you’ve got a tree on this list growing where your dog has regular access and you want a professional opinion on removal or risk mitigation, reach out to our team — we know these species well and we work in Utah yards every day. We also cover tree identification and removal across Sandy and the Salt Lake Valley if it comes to that.
Learn more about our tree removal services if you decide removal is the right call.