This is something that changed just since Dec. 29, when as a very new glitch I did use antidote to save a poisoned tree. But today, as a much older glitch, I "woke up" in Wickdoon Mood next to a poisoned bubble tree. I asked who had poisoned it and why, but nobody knew. But I could not antidote the poisoned tree because, said the popup, I need Botany to use antidote. So it died.
On the good side of this, another glitch (who also wanted to antidote but didn't have Botany) had a fruit bean, which she planted and got a badge. So no big tragedy but ...
I don't think you should need Botany to use antidote. This is a recent change that should not have been made. It is a bad change that un-empowers newer people even more relative to older ones. This is the opposite of what TS should be doing as it gets ready to invite more new glitches in game.