Use of oak sticks safely

[TT088]

Hi all,

I have a large oak tree in my garden which I have been collecting dead leaves from, I would like to use the branches / sticks for my agassizii setup, however I am cautious at to how to use these as I have not used sticks collected myself before.

If anyone uses or has used oak sticks/ branches successfully, please could I ask how I should approach using these (do they need preparing etc) and things to be careful of?

Thanks
Tom

 

[Mike Wise]

I'd only use sticks after the leaves turn and the sugars have moved to the tree roots. Then soak, rinse, repeat like any other wood for the aquarium.

 

[MacZ]

If the branches and twigs are sufficiently seasoned (like twigs that fell in winter last year in a storm, collected this year in fall) and dried in storage for some months, it will work too. In any case boiling and sterilising is not necessary.
I use beech and oak leaves I collect myself for years now, most often drying and rehydrating before use was all the preparation needed.

Just make sure the leaves are dead and brown and ad Mike says, have shed all the nutrients.