Toxic tree support

Discussion in 'Garden Design' started by cuatro-gatos, Feb 14, 2020.

  1. cuatro-gatos

    cuatro-gatos In Flower

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    Greetings all!
    My husband recently bought several pressure treated tree stakes for our avocado tree.
    The tree currently has a support that is tilting and needs correcting and enlarging.
    The tag on the new stake warns you to thoroughly wash clothes and skin after working with
    it & wear gloves, dust mask and goggles when working with it. Do not burn. Don't let it
    come into contact with drinking water, human/animal food, bedding or food storage etc.
    So I'm pretty sure (call me crazy) that it is not appropriate for a food baring tree. ( It has
    avocados on it now). Just looking for some validation. I've emailed the manufacturer but
    have not gotten a response after a month.
    Thank you.
     
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  3. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Just an unscientific opinion, but "when in doubt, don't". The warning tag may just be an over reaction to possible liability, but personally I'd just find nice metal or naturally non-rotting wooden stakes to use.
     
    Cayuga Morning, Frank and Jewell like this.
  4. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I agree with Jane. I wouldn't take the risk of the treated tree stakes doing damage to the fruit.
     
    Cayuga Morning likes this.
  5. Dirtmechanic

    Dirtmechanic Young Pine

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    Its copper. Spraying the tree with a copper fungicide is similiar. The really useful preservatives have been removed from treated wood, and on top of that, unless it specificially states otherwise, you are using wood not intended for below grade usage, and you will find it works for a year or so but then rots.

    Here is an article. Please tell the ants that have eaten the 4x4 posts in my garden that the new stuff is as good as the old stuff.

    https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2004/01/01/the-new-pressure-treated-wood
     
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  6. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    if its copper pressure treated... it wont last. been there done that. its garbage. may as well pull it and put in a fence stake.
     
  7. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Sounds like a CYA event !! Have you read the warnings on common medicines ??
    Most producers put things like this to avoid lawsuits !!
     

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