I have 5 children and recently moved to a new place in Hampden, Maine. There is some small trees with berries on them (they look like blueberries) in small clusters. The berries are bitter to taste. The leaves are coarse-toothed, egg shaped and have veins pointed towards the tip. Anyone have any idea what these are and should I be concerned with small children? Thanks for the help! Eryn
Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica. Yes, you should be concerned, the berries are toxic, causing violent diarrhoea. It is also an invasive alien weed in your area, so best to dig them all out.
