Does your tree guy sterilize his pruning tools?

Does Your Tree Guy Sterilize His Pruning Tools?

Sterilizing pruning tools is a widely debated practice in the arboricultural community. Some tree care professionals don’t believe pathogens can be transmitted through pruning tools, while others simply haven't been informed or considered the risks. Regardless of the debate, preventing the spread of disease to healthy trees should always be a priority. You've invested time, energy, and money into maintaining your trees—it would be unfortunate if they were infected by a contaminated tool. So, ask yourself: Does your tree guy sterilize his pruning tools?

Polar Tree and Engine Care: More Than Just Tree Removal

At Polar Tree and Engine Care, we are not just another tree removal company—we are a tree care company. Our focus is on the sustainable and holistic health of trees, providing expert care throughout every stage of a tree’s life: planting, pruning, removal, and replacement. We believe in proactive tree management, not just reacting when trees become hazardous. Our goal is to nurture and maintain healthy landscapes, ensuring that trees thrive for years to come.

Tree Diseases in South Central Alaska

Conks on Paper Birch

In South Central Alaska, our most prevalent trees include birch, spruce, and several species of poplar. These trees are all susceptible to infections from both bacterial and fungal pathogens, which can be transmitted through pruning tools. Once introduced, these pathogens can severely stress a tree, leading to decline and, in many cases, eventual death—resulting in costly removal expenses.

Arborists frequently perform tree cutting, with jobs split between removals and pruning. More often than not, removals involve dead or severely compromised trees. These trees may have visible fungal conks on their trunks or canker rot girdling their structure—clear indicators of advanced infection. The same handsaws and pruning tools used on these diseased trees are often used on your valuable, healthy ornamentals.

Conks on Paper Birch

Pruning is, in many ways, like surgery. Would you allow a surgeon to operate with unsterilized instruments? The same principle applies to tree care. If your arborist pulls out a handsaw that isn’t shiny and clean, there is a real risk of disease transmission to your trees.

ANSI A300 Standards & Tool Sterilization

While the ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards do not require tool sterilization when pruning healthy trees, it is still an important consideration. These standards are developed as best practices for the industry, but additional precautionary measures—such as disinfecting pruning tools—can further protect trees from preventable infections. Proactively sterilizing tools between cuts, especially when working on potentially infected trees, adds an extra layer of protection and demonstrates a commitment to tree health.

How Pruning Tools Should Be Sterilized

There are several effective methods for sterilizing pruning tools, including:

Sterilizing Pruning Shears

• Isopropyl alcohol soaks or sprays (fast-drying and highly effective)

• Heat treatments (flame sterilization for metal tools)

• Household disinfectants (some institutions recommend products like Lysol, but research on their effectiveness remains limited)

  
  

At Polar Tree and Engine Care, we sterilize all pruning tools before working on new trees. We care about the long-term health of your trees and refuse to be the reason they fall into decline. Our goal is to ensure that you enjoy your trees for years—if not decades—to come.

If you’re interested in having your trees pruned with expert care and the highest industry standards, give us a call. We love pruning trees and would be happy to develop a customized pruning plan for your landscape.