Timber..

[Big_eyes]

Are there any alternatives to buying bogwood from LFS' and fleabay?

The prices seem ridiculous and yet I'm finding it hard to find decent sized pieces anyway in the LFS's

Are there any other places you can get aquarium suitable timbers from?

I imagine taking branches home from fields and rivers requires a tough 'procedure' to make it safe?

Any ideas/help?

 

[OldMan47]

My tough procedure consists of causing a branch on my apple tree to die. It is easily done by simply cutting through the bark all the way around the branch. A year later, I have no hesitation about cutting the branch from the tree and simply removing the remaining bark and placing the branch into my tank. I do use a stainless steel screw to anchor the wood branch to a piece of slate.
I chose an apple because I know that hardwoods are a better choice than any soft woods and I rather like the look of apple wood.

 

[Mr Spoon]

I got loads of mopani bogwood from dunelm mill, small/medium size pieces for £1.99 each, found it in this shop by accident, its sold in the artificial flower area of the shop. http/www.dunelm-mill.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product1_11100_-1_51496_10551 needs soaking well before use as it leaks tanines.

 

[Biulu]

Normally the base of the roots (closest to the stem) of a tree provide for great bogwood. If you are afraid for introducing pests or diseases into your tank, boil the wood in water, or if the piece of wood is too big, put it into your oven for a while.

 

[Monty-2010]

I picked up a really nice large branch from the woods a couple of weeks ago, got it home gave it a good scrub with boiling hot water removed the bark washed it again let it soack for a week now it's in the tank with java moss and anubias attached to it. you could try the same just make sure the branch isn't rotten, even better wood be if you could find some root of a dead tree the twisted shape would look pretty good