QUICK - is this safe to use?

[PeekABoo_Too]

Okay so while running errands today I saw a "Free Wood" sign in someone's yard. This wasn't split logs or anything, these were various sized pine branches freshly cut from their trees. I've been kicking around the idea of building my own 'tree' for Peek to play on and this wood looked perfect for such an endeavor so I pulled over and loaded up my trunk and backseat under my kid's feet with the best branches. Then I started wondering if pine was even safe to use? So before I proceed with any further 'how to' questions, will someone please tell me if pine is safe, and what I need to do to clean it up or whatever before I start attempting to build this thing? TIA! I am so excited to get started!!!

[stepht25]

Pine is safe - we use it for bird toys - but if the tree was ever treated with any pesticides - it wouldn't be safe to use.

[PeekABoo_Too]

Oh I suppose, huh? And I would have no way of knowing, unless I go back to that house and knock on their door and ask, and even still, who knows? I guess Peek will be forced to either play in his cage or ride on shoulders for entertainment...poor guy. =(

[MsSmurfy]

First & foremost >>ALWAYS be sure anything you wish to give to your feathered ones is NOT covered in any pesticides...that is just common sense~
I have used many pine logs as you have just mentioned...especially after the hurricanes here in Fla they were in such abundance. But what I did was place the pine pieces in large bins of water & clorox, allow to soak for a few days outdoors, this assists in multiple areas; One: it gets rid of any critters like mites & crawly lil buggies; TWO: it helps to saturate the exterior bark helping the bark to lift & be removed easily; Three: draws the fresh sap from new pine bark out & away [less sticky mess for all & less draw for bugs as well! After soaking pine for about three days to a week, I then rinse well, then place in another FRESH water area for a few days. Then lay all pine out in the sun to dry for about five days [depends upon thickness & sunny days!]. The outer layer of rough rugged pine bark will lift nicely off pine base within. Always be sure that this pine cleansing process does not EVER reach a mold stage...mold is NOT good for our feathered ones. Do this process concientiously & all will turn out fine! The pine comes out nice & fresh slick surface when you are done! Hope this helps...

[stepht25]

You can make a nice play gym for pretty cheap using pvc. Use the search option at the top of the page and put in pvc gym - it should bring up threads where people have posted pics of ones they have made.