Midrash for Avodah Zarah 95:1
<big><strong>מתני׳</strong></big> שלש אשרות הן אילן שנטעו מתחלה לשם עבודת כוכבים הרי זו אסורה גידעו ופיסלו לשם עבודת כוכבים והחליף נוטל מה שהחליף העמיד תחתיה עבודת כוכבים ונטלה הרי זו מותרת:
There are three kinds of asherah: A tree which has originally been planted for idolatry — behold this is prohibited. If he chopped and trimmed [a tree] for idolatry, and its sprouted afresh, he removes the new growth. If he only set [an idol] under it and took it away, behold the tree is permitted.
Sifrei Devarim
From here it was ruled: There are three kinds of asheiroth: A tree that was planted from the beginning for idolatry is forbidden (for benefit), it being written "and their asheiroth shall you burn in fire." If he cut and trimmed it and it grew (new growths), he removes the new growths, it being written "and the cuttings of their gods shall you cut down." If he placed idolatry under it and removed it (the idolatry), then it (the tree) is permitted, it being written "and you shall cause their name (but not the tree itself) to go lost from that place."
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