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Branch from a tree???

F

Filardimarg2

New member
Hi everyone,
I want to get something to put in the viv, something like a branch from a tree?? can i go out & get a branch from a tree in the fields or does it have to be one from the pet/reptile shop??
If i get one from the fields, does it have to be steralised or anything??
Thanks in advance.
Marg.
 
Hi Marj. If the branch will fit, bake it in the oven at 200* for about 20 minutes. That should kill any nasties that may be on it.

If it won't fit in the oven, use a scrub brush and a mild bleach solution (1/2 cup in a gallon of water) and wash it good. Rinse really well and let it dry in the sunshine. Then you should be good to go.
 
I have "found" stuff in all my vivs. Branches are pretty easy to clean, as Wade said. If your snake happens to eliminate on wood in your viv, follow the same cleaning procedures as when you first put it in.

Do be careful not to put pine or cedar branches in with your snakes. The aromatic compounds concentrated in the tree bark are bad news in branch form, just as in substrate.

Kudos for using local stuff to decorate with! ;)
 
Fruit tree wood seems to be safe. If you know someone getting rid of an old apple tree or similar, I've used that before.

Otherwise native UK hardwoods like oak, beech etc. are good. Just don't go taking it from living trees.

Soft woods and evergreens like pine or cedar contain a resinous sap that's poisonous to Corns (and presumably reptiles in general?), so avoid those.
 
Ahh, mum's old fruit tree. It is quite simply the only item that has stood the test of time (and the increasing weight of my snake). Chainsaw-ing it off was rather fun too :)

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b19/tracee84/chaz/P7171511.jpg

As you can tell, without it that would be one very sorry looking viv, but he just destroys everything.

You won't regret it if you can find a suitable branch - and they love to climb.
 
Tracee, thanks for the picture, it's great, i am going to my Sis-in Law later to pinch a branch from her apple tree, your viv looks good.
Marg.
 
You're welcome, and thank you, but once upon a time it was much prettier :)

Let us know how you get on!
 
That looks really nice, Tracee! Did you sand it down to get it that smooth?

We cut numerous trees over the weekend. The guys were getting mad at me because I kept looking over every limb for potential viv or fish tank pieces. :laugh:
 
Did they not realise that makes all the difference?! I did start off two myself, and chose the one I could position in a way that meant he could climb it. No I didn't sand it down, just stripped the bark and bleached like I've never bleached before :) It is really smooth, looks just as great 3-4 years on.
 
Half the fun in going for walks in the woods is looking for new viv decorations, don'tcha know?
 
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