Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I was wondering if household vinegar or salt kill trees. We have ant nests near the roots of the trees. Not to spray toxic substances on the roots to avoid killing trees, we use vinegar or salt.

ANSWER: Yes if enough of either vinegar or salt is applied in large quantities around a tree this can kill the tree. A large tree would be far less susceptible to these than a young tree. Mainly due to the large expanse of roots on a large tree compared to the compact roots of a young tree.

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QUESTION: when you say "enough" what do you mean? Also why do you think i have ant nests right near the roots of the tree.

Thank you kindly again.

Answer
I would think a gal would be too much but a pint or so near the trunk of a mature tree should not be a problem with the tree. Ants feed on honeydew that is secreted by aphids on trees and a nest near the tree would be handy for the ants to travel between the nest and the food supply.