Treating Wood Taken From Nature

[tata]

Hi,

I found 3 interesting roots this afternoon.
The wood still need to be treated as they are in their raw state.

What do you think about these driftwoods, and what do you suggest me to do, to make them better? Should I sand them?

Thank you

 

[phoenixgsd]

where did you get them from? type of tree ect, i thought driftwood was the sort found on beaches after drifting, and bogwood was wood buried in bogland,

 

[tata]

where did you get them from? type of tree ect, i thought driftwood was the sort found on beaches after drifting, and bogwood was wood buried in bogland,

From wikipedia:

Scientific name: Cistus ladanifer.
Cistus ladanifer is a species of flowering plant in the family Cistaceae. It is native to the western Mediterranean region. Common names include gum rockrose, Laudanum, Labdanum, common gum cistus, and brown-eyed rockrose.

The wood seems nice to me, but might need some work to make it more appealing.

 

[phoenixgsd]

for the sake of a few quid of buying a good piece from a shop, or even secondhand, is it worth the risk or the hassel

 

[LongS]

I like them mate well done on picking them up. Soak them for a good couple of weeks and see how they look?

 

[thereverendturtle]

Let them completely dry out then soak them. It's best to start with dry wood, that way all the sap and all is out of it.

 

[fish killa]

so i dont understand is it ok for any tree found in the wild to be put in a fish tank as long as you dry it out and soak it?

if not whats safe to put in one? also what makes driftwood driftwood? could i go down to A river and pull out a a floating piece of wood and ball it driftwood? or find a piece of a tree growing on the river bank and put in my fish tank?

 

[basboi85]

I'm so jealous those are basically what I'm after but none of my lfs has those.

I've got a few small lakes very close to my house with fallen over trees in it and there's a couple of nice bits of massive thick trunks with roots hanging off it but I'm unsure whether it would be safe to use.

The actual tree looks like it been dead for a while but beings most of its submerged in the lake/ pond and to be honest its collected most of the rubbish that's blown into it and does look quite disgusting but there is fish living in it.

As I'm useless and haven't got a clue what type of tree is what if I post a pic of the tree I'm thinking of getting the certain bits from would anyone tell me if its suitable for my tank ??

 

[tata]

Let them completely dry out then soak them. It's best to start with dry wood, that way all the sap and all is out of it.

I see. Makes sense.
I will also try to sand one of the pieces.

I'm so jealous those are basically what I'm after but none of my lfs has those.

I've got a few small lakes very close to my house with fallen over trees in it and there's a couple of nice bits of massive thick trunks with roots hanging off it but I'm unsure whether it would be safe to use.

The actual tree looks like it been dead for a while but beings most of its submerged in the lake/ pond and to be honest its collected most of the rubbish that's blown into it and does look quite disgusting but there is fish living in it.

As I'm useless and haven't got a clue what type of tree is what if I post a pic of the tree I'm thinking of getting the certain bits from would anyone tell me if its suitable for my tank ??

I won't be a big help, since I do not live in USA, most probably that trees does not exist on my country (Portugal). But I am pretty sure someone on the forum can help you. Just post the pics ;-)

 

[basboi85]

I'm in the uk and ill get some pics up soon and hopefully Somone will be able to help