Tree branches?

[lilmama]

Ok, so I want to make a tree for beside Tuc's cage for him to climb on. I am going to attach some branches to the bottom of a large flower pot and fill it with sand (hopefully this works). There is nothing but woods behind my house and I found the perfect branches for this. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what kind of tree it is! If it had leaves I could probebly find out but no leaves till spring. Anyways here is a picture of it now and one of it a couple of years ago in the spring, any tree experts out there?



It's the bushy looking tree right behind us.

It is a native tree, not planted here so it would be something native to east central GA.
Also what should I do to prepare the branches? They are great, dry but not rotten. I just want to get rid of any buggies or mold that may be on them and they wont fit into my oven!. Any help would be appreciated!

[lilmama]

Ok.....since I have had no luck identifying the tree after visiting a million websites I have decided to try another kind of branch. My parents have a huge oak and a huge pecan in their yard and I picked up several usefull branches. Are these ok? I can't seem to find the website with safe wood listed. Also how should I prepare these? I read somewhere about soaking them in bleach and water but how much bleach is safe?

[tamaran2]

I use the natural branches in my aviary outside. Since the branches are to long to fit in my oven either, here is what I do. I spray them with vinegar undiluted. Let it soak and then spay them off with water from the hose. Then I let them dry in the sun.

[Kodiak]

Pecan is safe, oak is not. And only use if no fertilizer or pesticides have been used around the trees. :)

[lilmama]

Well I know there was nothing used on the trees, unfortunately I don't know which branches are which! Both trees shead lots of branches and my dad gathered them up into a pile. I am really having no luck with this! :(

[huntress]

Here. I have some really useful links in my bookmarks
Plants and Pets - Non-Toxic Listing ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
Plants and Pets - Toxic Plant Listing ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
A huge listing of both toxic and non toxic - -lol, but of course you do have to identify it first.

[tamaran2]

Dogwood branches like the one you have pointed out. I'm not sure what you have there but I know dogwood is safe and makes a wonderful branchey type perch. When I first start cutting down trees to make branches for the aviary and inside tree perches for the birds, my husband told me not to touch the dogwoods. The day I cut down a 25 to 30 year old dogwood because I liked the way the branches would make a great tree stand, he had a fit....
Thank god, he is over it! But dogwood is really a great wood to use.

[Ebenezer]

Hope this helps you. http://www.birdboard.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

ttp://www.exoticbird.com/gillian/perch.html




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[habs71]

I can't seem to find the website with safe wood listed.

Here's a site that may help you..

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


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[lilmama]

Thanks for the links! We have dogwoods, magnolia, flowering pear, and pecan along with millions of pine I will look these up. I know the tree isn't a dogwood because it dosen't flower. I put the branches in the shed and will just have to wait 6 weeks or so for some leaves. Spring comes early in GA!! Thanks again!