Driftwood from the wild

[Mike Singh]

Hi Everyone
Are there risks from using driftwood from the wild? I may be looking at using oak wood from cut down branches that are dry.
The risks that I can identify so far are:

1. Bugs and snails
2. Mould and algae
3. Wood rot

I would appreciate your advice.

 

[richardcunliffe]

Someone will have better advice than me, but I understand that you want it to be very well dried as sap can causes issues. Even heard of people drying in the oven. AquariumShed on YouTube has a good video from when he gave foraged wood a go

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I may be looking at using oak wood from cut down branches that are dry.

You will need to let it dry out or soak because of the sap as @richardcunliffe says, After that you are good.

Have a look at <"Now is a good time to look for PYO wood">.

cheers Darrel

 

[Mike Singh]

Thanks Darrel and Richard. I’ll look for the video. I collected some Oak branches that came down last summer. I plan to bake them in the oven at 120 degrees C for 45 minutes. I’ m hoping that will kill off any fungal spores etc. This will have to be done when Mrs S is not at home 🫣🤫😃

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I’ m hoping that will kill off any fungal spores etc.

It is just the sap you have to worry about.

This will have to be done when Mrs S is not at home

Probably wise.

cheers Darrel