Should I remove mistletoe from my tree?

QUESTION: I have a very tall mesquite in my yard with a big hunk of mistletoe near the top — about 35 feet high up in the branches. I’m worried about whether this parasite will damage the tree. But how can I cut the mistletoe out of the tree when it’s up so high? Will it hurt to just leave it there?

ANSWER: Mistletoe can cause damage to mesquites and palo verdes if you continue to let it grow on a tree. It can invade the vascular system of the host plant and eventually might kill the tree, although it would take a very long time. The mistletoe actually grows inside the tree and absorbs water and nutrients. If you just have a sprig or two of mistletoe there, it’s probably not a big immediate threat to your tree. So, you can keep tabs on it a while. But of course, this parasite can also be spread to other trees by the birds that eat the mistletoe berries. If you want to remove the mistletoe at that height, try using a long pole saw; however, it’s best to hire an arborist who can get to the area safely. You can also find mistletoe growing in ironwoods and acacias.

Q. I am caring for a modular home that belonged to my parents who have now moved into assisted living. Since they’re not in the house anymore, I go over to the home regularly to flush the toilets and run water down the drains. Despite my efforts, it smells terrible in the house. I’ve tried pouring bleach down the drains. I did a load of clothing in the washing machine recently and that seemed to have improved the odor for a while. But now it’s starting up again. What should I do about it?

A: It sounds as if you’re doing a good job of taking care of the plumbing in most of the house. But probably what you’re experiencing is a problem with the P-trap in the drain in back of the washing machine. If a P-trap dries out, whether it’s the washing machine drain or a drain in a sink or shower, methane gas can begin to back up into a home. Try pouring a large pitcher of water down the washing machine drain once or twice a week and see if that does the trick. Or better yet, do a small load of wash regularly in the machine. Don’t put bleach down the drains. A water seal is all that you need.

Q: I want to preserve some wood-handled tools that are now about 5 years old. They have been stored outside quite a bit, so they’re looking a little beat-up. What can I do about them?

A: If they’re looking splintery, start by sanding them down with 150-grit sandpaper. Take down the surface a little bit. Then wipe down the handles with linseed oil or tung oil. Be very careful in handling oily rags when you are through with them, as they can be a serious fire hazard in the Arizona heat. Be sure to dispose of them in a safety can.

Q: I have a toilet that keeps running all the time. I’m going to replace the flap inside the tank to see if that stops the problem, but if it doesn’t, what would be the approximate cost to have a more extensive replacement of equipment in the tank done by a professional plumber?

A: It’s not going to cost a great deal, but you could replace the ball-cock assembly yourself. Many homeowners can do this; a new assembly will probably cost you about $40 at a hardware store. If you call a plumber, you’ll find that most of them charge about $100 for a one-hour visit to start with. But the job itself can usually be done in less than an hour if nothing else is wrong.