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Landscape DesignFlorida GardeningGarden Clinic
misshibiscus

Safe To Keep Pine Tree Log?

4 years ago

Hi, everyone!


First off: thank you so much for being so helpful about my Dr. Davis Peach Tree In Florida issue! I now have another gardening question to submit to your wise words.


Three months ago, I had two pine trees in my yard cut down and removed because they had wood-borer beetles and termite larvae living in them and leaving little sawdust piles. (Don't worry, no termites in the house! We're professionally protected.)


Because the trees were there for so long, and were special, we kept a log cut from the tree and I plan to use it as a little cottage style side table by a bench in my back yard.

I have regularly been spraying it for bugs, because I am still afraid if the termites are still a threat in the log (it was from a section of pine tree that was high up and not quite so close to the heartwood near the ground, where most bug damage was seen). I spray with cinnamon oil, which effectively burns their little larvae bodies. However, the little termite babies are always back every time I lift the log and look underneath it!



Guys, is it safe for me to keep this log? What can I do to keep the termites away from it forever?


Thank you so muchk


miss 🌺 hibiss

Featured Answer
  • 4 years ago

    Glenn-- thank you for that advice of getting the log off the ground! I've done so, adding a stack of concrete pavers underneath it. I hope it helps keep those bugs away.


    Ken--good idea, I'll call Orkin and ask their opinion on this! I agree with you that my house is 100% my priority, which is why I've been so concerned about this. I absolutely do not want to house wayward termites! The log is perhaps 10-20 feet away from my house, in my back yard. Maybe an option I can look into is having Orkin spray the log thoroughly so the termites will not come back to it?


    Nickel--I'd be afraid, too, if the pine borers weren't already around terrorizing the other pines in my area for long before I had those two pine trees cut down in my own backyard!



    Thank you for all your advice! <3 I look forward to any more suggestions you all may have!


    miss hibiss

    Comments (7)

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