is it necessary to wash tools (to prevent spreading) after cutting down ash-bore infested tree limbs?

Answer 1

If you are talking about the removal of an Ash infested with an Ash Borer insect, then the answer is NO, it is not necessary to prevent the spread of the borer. The larva are usually visible to the naked eye and can not survive long outside the tree. The wood cut from a borer infested tree presents a much bigger threat to the spread of the borer that your pruning tools. Immediately chip (no bigger than 1" chips) or burn the wood. If you can not, remove the bark as soon as possible. Emerald Ash Borer is spreading across the USA because people are transporting firewood (with the bark) that contains the larva.

Yes, if your pruning a disease infected plant, you should always use a 10% bleach solution or a 75% alcohol solution to clean your tools to prevent the spread of the infection. Let the tools air dry before reuse.

I took a call from an individual with wilting leaves on his Purple Leafed Sandcherrys. The sample he brought in was infected with a canker everywhere his hedge trimmer had pruned last November. Because his trimmer had been in contact with the infecting pathogen that produced cankers, every branch he cut on every Purple Leafed Sandcherry shrub he owned was now infected with the canker. Clean your tools before you prune each plant. Clean your tools after every cut when pruning diseased plants.

Answer 2

Hi. It is considered correct horticultural practice to always clean your pruners and saws with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution after pruning a tree or shrub.

Not only are you concerned with the emerald ash borer, but also you have to watch for another fatal ailment called "ash yellow", which is a microbe.

The importance of cleaning tools with alcohol or bleach is made most clear with these microbal infestations. Because you can not see all of these diseases with the naked eye, you must assume that something is on your tool.

Clean the tool thoroughly with one of the solutions mentioned and dry it, then sharpen and oil it to insure the cleanest possible cuts.

For further information on proper pruning methods and practice, please check out "The Tree Book: by Jeff Meyer, and/or Lee Reich's book on pruning.

Good luck with your ash tree.

Answer 3

What did the neighbour say in answer to the question? Were you seen cutting down the trees and did the neighbour say it was you? You shouldn't have done it as it was trespass but if no-one saw you, you could keep quiet and hope you don't get found out. Get a bit of legal advice on this though to be on the safe side. They'd have to prove it was you. Also, in many places, it's illegal to cut down trees even on your own property.

Answer 4

yes the tools should be washed to prevent infecting anything else you might use them on. I have heard that you should wash in water with bleach in it. That is what the extension agent were I live recommends... Also have read that you can use Lysol or Listerine to disinfect. Hope this helps..

Answer 5

I clean and sanitize any garden tool that has been used on an infected plant. It just makes it easier to control spreading to uninfected plants. I even disinfect my tools after using them. I have plants that are expensive and do not want to take a chance.

Answer 6

Yes you should always clean your cutting tools after using them with Alcohol.

Answer 7

yes it is to prevent spread diseases from tree to tree.

Answer 8

yes....if not you are going to transfer it