Commentary for Avodah Zarah 90:7
ור' יוסי בר' יהודה נמי מיבעי ליה להכי ה"נ אלא אילן שנטעו ולבסוף עבדו מנא ליה נפקא ליה (דברים ז, ה) מואשריהם תגדעון איזהו עץ שגידועו אסור ועיקרו מותר הוי אומר אילן שנטעו ולבסוף עבדו
And does not R. Yose son of R. Yehudah should also require the same text for this rule? Indeed so. So then from where does he derive that a tree which had been planted and was subsequently worshipped [is prohibited]? He derives it from, “and hew down their asherim,” (Deuteronomy 7:5). Which tree has its later growth prohibited while its root is permitted? Say that it is a tree which had been planted and was subsequently worshipped.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
R. Yose would also read that verse as prohibiting a tree that was planted for idolatry. So he learns the additional prohibition, that a tree that was first planted and then worshipped is prohibited, from another verse. Note that this means that only the part that grew after it was worshipped is prohibited.
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