Pesticide and Tree Branches

[MoveDiagonally]

Not sure where to put this question. 

I’ve been trying to find friends/family with some safe tree types to harvest some branches from for my buns. 

My aunt has a willow tree and she purchased her home 6 months ago. She doesn’t use pesticides but there’s no way for us to know if any were used at some point before she purchased and moved into the home. 

If we assume the worst case scenario and the trees were sprayed with something 6 months ago when, if ever, would the branches be considered “safe” for bunny consumption? 

[Bam]

I don’t know much, but I do know that some pesticides and fungicides are systemic, i.e. it gets into the treated plants and stays there and acts from within. There are also the types that stays on the surface of the plants, and those types can be washed off or will come off when it rains heavily for some time etc.

I have no idea if willows are treated with pesticides in Oregon, in Sweden they definitely are not because they are sturdy plants which lots of natural vigour. Perhaps you could call a local plant-nursery etc and ask them if they know if it’s common practice to use pesticides/fungicides on willow and if it is, what sort of toxins are most often used.

[MoveDiagonally]

Thanks! That’s great advice.

I’ve spent the last couple days reading about pesticides and pesticide residue… And I’m pretty much horrified by all of it.

It’s likely the willow wasn’t sprayed but it’s not worth the risk for me. My parents have a neighbor with a small apple orchard and they don’t spray/are willing to give me some branches as they prune so hopefully my bunnies will have plenty to chew on

[Author]

Messages