Cutting tool sterilization

[Cynfawr]

Hi guys,
The recent detection of oak wilt in southern onatario (canada) has us paying more attention to our part in the spread of diseases through tree removal and tree pruning work.

Sterilizing things like hand saws, pole saws and pole pruners is simple enough (spray bottles or buckets to dip in).

Sterilizing chainsaws seems a much greater challenge though. Does anyone have a process in place for sterilizing chainsaws in the field, between trees?

For example, we have a large number and variety of maple tree around here and verticillium wilt is a common issue. It seems silly that we don't have a better process in place for minimizing our part in its spread.

What do you guys think of this problem? How many companies/individuals are currently sterilizing tools between trees?

 

[lone wolf]

Hi guys,
The recent detection of oak wilt in southern onatario (canada) has us paying more attention to our part in the spread of diseases through tree removal and tree pruning work.

Sterilizing things like hand saws, pole saws and pole pruners is simple enough (spray bottles or buckets to dip in).

Sterilizing chainsaws seems a much greater challenge though. Does anyone have a process in place for sterilizing chainsaws in the field, between trees?

For example, we have a large number and variety of maple tree around here and verticillium wilt is a common issue. It seems silly that we don't have a better process in place for minimizing our part in its spread.

What do you guys think of this problem? How many companies/individuals are currently sterilizing tools between trees?

Dip the Bar and chain in a pan of Alcohol between different trees. Or maybe spray it heavily.

 

[KostasVolos]

Lysol,spray.

https://www.lysol.com/products/disinfectant-spray/lysol-disinfectant-spray
( Dettol for EU )

 

[ATH]

One of the most respected researchers (jennifer juzwik) has found tool sterilization is a non-factor for oak wilt when all other precautions are followed. I think some of that comes down to: you aren't spreading spores that can lead to infection if you are pruning in the winter.

 

[Bunyaneer]

One of the most respected researchers (jennifer juzwik) has found tool sterilization is a non-factor for oak wilt when all other precautions are followed. I think some of that comes down to: you aren't spreading spores that can lead to infection if you are pruning in the winter.

In more temperate plant zone 7 and others, it's always paint-oaks and tool-sterilization season. Some say screaming-hot summer, eg, July and August, are safe. But in central Texas, weather changes can be fast and fickle.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Implementing a solution for sterilizing chainsaws in the field between trees is essential to prevent the spread of diseases. Many arborists and companies are currently addressing this concern by using portable sterilization methods, but widespread adoption may vary.

What is with all these ai bots?

 

[ATH]

What is with all these ai bots?

people experimenting with Chat GPT???

 

[TheJollyLogger]

people experimenting with Chat GPT???

I guess...

 

[pdqdl]

Hi guys,
The recent detection of oak wilt in southern onatario (canada) has us paying more attention to our part in the spread of diseases through tree removal and tree pruning work.

Sterilizing things like hand saws, pole saws and pole pruners is simple enough (spray bottles or buckets to dip in).

Sterilizing chainsaws seems a much greater challenge though. Does anyone have a process in place for sterilizing chainsaws in the field, between trees?

For example, we have a large number and variety of maple tree around here and verticillium wilt is a common issue. It seems silly that we don't have a better process in place for minimizing our part in its spread.

What do you guys think of this problem? How many companies/individuals are currently sterilizing tools between trees?

Texas A&M university has this to say on that topic:

"Prevention plays an important role in the management of oak wilt. Landowners and homeowners can take an active role in oak wilt prevention by taking the following steps:​

1. Avoid pruning or wounding oaks between February 1 and July 1. This is the time of year when oak wilt fungal mats are most likely to form and nitidulid beetles are active. If a nitidulid beetle carries oak wilt spores from a fungal mat to a fresh wound on an uninfected oak tree, the fungus could become established in the disease-free tree. The least hazardous periods for pruning are during the coldest days of midwinter or extended periods of hot weather in mid- to late summer.
2. Sterilize/Sanitize all pruning equipment between trees using denatured methyl alcohol (shellac thinner), isopropyl alcohol, or a general purpose household disinfectant such as Lysol, Listerine, Pine-Sol or related products. Using household bleach is NOT recommended as it can be corrosive to pruning tools as well as people.
3. Immediately paint all wounds on oaks to prevent contact with contaminated beetles. Wounds should be painted, regardless of the time of year they were made, with commercial tree wound dressing or latex paint (color doesn’t matter!). Wounds can be either man made or natural and include freshly-cut stumps and damaged surface roots.
4. Do not transport or buy unseasoned firewood. Fungal mats may form on unseasoned red oak firewood infected with oak wilt making it possible to spread oak wilt to uninfected areas. Seasoned firewood (dried for at least one year) should not present a threat of spreading oak wilt. Also, burning infected wood cannot transmit oak wilt.
5. Promptly remove and either burn or bury all red oaks that are dying or have been recently killed by oak wilt. Generally, this would be oak wilt-infected red oaks that die in the late summer or fall. This will prevent nitidulid beetles from spreading spores from fungal mats that may form on the trees in the fall or the following spring.

 

[pdqdl]

What is with all these ai bots?

I don't think "bots" are the problem. There are enough people in the world to send these posts without any automation. What I have seen is a lot of artificial sounding responses, but they come in as new members, post a a couple of links... Then the spam starts dropping into the middle of an otherwise innocent sounding post. They tend to pick their topics according to where the future advertising will potentially generate some leads. The English always seems a bit stilted and rough. I suspect it is a simple case of not being a native English speaker.

I don't think they are using ChatGPT for these, though. I attempted to use it to recreate the banal answer above, and ChatGPT was much more articulate and informative. It's English is considerably more natural sounding, too.

 

[ATH]

I'll be back!

 

[pdqdl]

Yeah, but we got the T-900 terminator.



It has the capacity to dispatch any spam-bot in two clicks or less.

 

[Snatchy]

Hi guys,
The recent detection of oak wilt in southern onatario (canada) has us paying more attention to our part in the spread of diseases through tree removal and tree pruning work.

Sterilizing things like hand saws, pole saws and pole pruners is simple enough (spray bottles or buckets to dip in).

Sterilizing chainsaws seems a much greater challenge though. Does anyone have a process in place for sterilizing chainsaws in the field, between trees?

For example, we have a large number and variety of maple tree around here and verticillium wilt is a common issue. It seems silly that we don't have a better process in place for minimizing our part in its spread.

What do you guys think of this problem? How many companies/individuals are currently sterilizing tools between trees?

I see post is old but still might help.
3% Hydrogen peroxide in a garden/hand sprayer, can get a gallon cheap at most grocery stores. Can get higher concentration from hair salon supplier or food suppliers, dilute with water.
Or 1-2 ounces of bleach per 1 gallon of water. Hydrogen perox. will rust un-treated/oiled surfaces. Hope that helps