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I use oak twigs. I like the look of the leaves still attached to the very small branches as it gives more shelter for the fish into the upper parts of the tank and looks very natural.
Yes, dried-out oak (including bark) is a 'safe' wood for tanks. At least that is what I have read in several places and I use it with no problems in 2 of my tanks.
I threw a load in to my two tanks yesterday. Have used them before, straight from the floor of the woods, washed in hot water and then put into the tank. My otos loved grazing on them! I've got about 4 inches of oak leaf litter in places and the agassizzis seem to like it, nipping in and out of it all the time. I've even had rams and bronze cories spawn on oak leaves in the past and aggies use them for wrigglers!