driftwood?

[goldenbrown]

I'm getting a YS GCC in a few weeks after I return from vacation @ lake superior with the fam. There is a ton of driftwood in interesting shapes that washes up on the beach there, and I was thinking of collecting some to use in making a playstand. Is driftwood safe to use? Usually it washes up very bleached and gnarled so I'm not sure what sort of trees it comes from. Also, I've been looking at a lot of pictures on here of natural wood stands people have made (they are all awesome, btw!) and I can't tell how the wood is held together. I'm guessing nails, but I don't see any. Can someone answer my questions please?

[ReneeE]

Since you have no idea the history of just where that wood has been and what else has been soaking into that wood you should not consider using it. You would never forgive yourself if you lost a baby over trying to save a few bucks.

Counter sunk screws is what holds it together.

[r2rusmc]

Some of the most beautiful stands I've seen have been made from shore collected driftwood.

Sure you can use it but practice some common sense.

Bleach it real well and allow it to sun sanitize until thoroughly dry. That may take weeks/months.

Once made if you find your bird chewing it excessively add toys and other objects for diversion. First because you most likely do not know what type of wood and secondly to extend the life of the perch.

[goldenbrown]

A lot of the trees in that area are birch trees and conifers since it's pretty far north in Wisconsin (even the summers can be chilly!) but obviously that's no gurantee as to what type of wood the driftwood is. Also, some of it comes out very smooth and well worn while other pieces are very knobbly and knotty. I'll probably collect a few sturdy pieces just in case but I will probably remove them if they get chewed on in excess...a lot of that driftwood is pretty soft, so it'll probably be destroyed quickly anyway.