SafelyCleaningBranches

[asulli]

I have several trees that I can use to make playgyms and perches.
Does anyone know of some good sites that I can go to that will tell me how to prepare these branches safely? I have Pine Trees, Mulberry Trees and Bouganvilla branches (without thorns!). Some of these are pretty big.
I am sure that someone on this site has done this before and I would appreciate any tips. I am also going to plant some bamboo in the yard so that I can use it.

[NotEnoughTime]

Hmmm... Site? I just wash with water and vinegar...

Have a read of: Safe wood

[asulli]

Originally Posted by NotEnoughTime

Hmmm... Site? I just wash with water and vinegar...

Have a read of: Safe wood

Once you wash them how do you dry them. I read 200 degrees in the oven, but the problem is that some of these branches are pretty big. As far as the ones on the pine tree I imagine that I should shave the top layer correct?
By the way thanks for responding!

[r2rusmc]

I'm a big fan of sun sanitizing and drying.

[NotEnoughTime]

Originally Posted by asulli

Once you wash them how do you dry them. I read 200 degrees in the oven, but the problem is that some of these branches are pretty big. As far as the ones on the pine tree I imagine that I should shave the top layer correct?

Vinegar is a pretty good disinfectant.
Vinegar as a Disinfectant
Vinegar Kills Bacteria, Mold and Germs | Healthy and Green Living
Vinegar as an Disinfectant

I believe that washing with vinegar is pretty good - putting wood in an oven at 200 degrees will harden the wood a bit so it is harder to chew as well as kill some bacteria. Personally I don't put natural wood in the oven (I use grapevine and pine). I do strip the bark from the pine - to make it easier to wash (it doesn't catch as much poop too).

Originally Posted by asulli

By the way thanks for responding!

No problem...

[asulli]

Thank you so much NotEnoughTime and r2rusmc!

[chapala]

You don't have to bake them, and can't for large branches that won't fit in the oven! Be careful with pine because of the sap - I wouldn't use any fresh pine. I like to use a 10% bleach solution for disinfecting - much better than vinegar if you're worried about bacteria or wild bird diseases. Rinse, rinse, and rinse again afterwards, then let dry in the sun if possible.

[Peanutbutter]

Rinse off & Bake at 200* for 30 minutes if it will fit in the oven.

or--

Wash w/ vinegar, rinse well. (a little left on/in the wood is okay) Sun dry for a few days.

I wouldn't wash with bleach... there is no way to get it all off again. Wood is porous and the bleach will soak into the wood.


Special not about pine.... I've read it can only be used if its left to dry for a year or two...

[NotEnoughTime]

Nor would I use bleach... Vinegar is an adequate disinfectant.... Yes - good point about the pine - I don't think 2 years is necessary - but it should be well-dried (six months is what mine is).

[Peanutbutter]

I only quoted a year or two because of this website:

Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages.

"When we listed pine above, that's meant as perch wood, which this page is geared for. Also be certain that the pine for bird perches is dry pine that aged for as much as a year or two. Otherwise the pitch in the pine will be an awful thing for bird feathers."

but 6mo-1yr might be the 'rule' according to other sources.... seems nothing is 'cut & dried' when it comes to bird care!