are all oak leaves suitable?

[Jacobus]

I recently came across a Japanese Imperial oak (Quercus dentata) from which I have a lot of leaves now. The leaves are up to 30-40 cm long, thick and hairy.
I have started using them in my tanks mainly because they make excellent sight barriers and hiding places.
What I should have started asking I am doing just now: are these leaves safe as the more common oak leaves (Q. robur, Q. rubra, Q. petraea, Q. palustris, Q. ilex etc), as far as anyone of you know?
Like I said they have the excellent size for decoration and territory buiding. Besides, being thick and leathery, they are longlasting.

Thanks Jacobus

 

[MacZ]

All Quercus species are ok to use.

BUT: It has to be brown autmn leaves. No green leaves and none that have been shed in a dry summer.

 

[Jacobus]

They are brown and dry. The tree fell in a storm some weeks ago. So a second picking next year will not be possible.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

It has to be brown autmn leaves. No green leaves and none that have been shed in a dry summer.

They are brown and dry. The tree fell in a storm some weeks ago. So a second picking next year will not be possible.

What @MacZ says you really want naturally shed leaves, where the tree has withdrawn the sugars and chlorophyll prior to abscission.

Were these dead brown leaves that had been <"retained on the tree">? If they were they should be fine, if they were green when the tree came down? I wouldn't use them.

This is Carpinus betulus in February. Leaves are fine to use in this state, although they are still on the tree (if that makes sense?).

cheers Darrel

 

[Jacobus]

It makes sense Darrel, thanks. The leaves I use have all been naturally dried on the tree, afterwards shed or not depending on the kind of tree.