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 #1841303


Dragonryan
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 Question about branches

Hi all just wondering if Lavender branches are ok to use in an enclosure. I baked them in the oven for 1/2 an hour at 350 degrees to kill the bugs on em. wondering if they are alright to use. thanks.
08/24/08  04:41pm

 #1843134


Dragonryan
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   Message To: Dragonryan   In reference to Message Id: 1841303


 Question about branches

what about eucalyptus?
08/26/08  02:19pm

 #1843239


87rx7chick
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   Message To: Dragonryan   In reference to Message Id: 1843134


 Question about branches

there are lists of toxic plants some where around this forum. i’d do a search on google. toxic plants. yup!
08/26/08  05:05pm

 #1843437


Clouddancer22
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   Message To: 87rx7chick   In reference to Message Id: 1843239


 Question about branches

Now I KNEW that eucalyptus was going to be bad news - the essential oil that is derived is disinfectant and definitely toxic in higher quantities, I def would NOT use it. Way worse than pine!

Lavendar flowers are used in cooking and stuff, so I thought I would probably be ok, but NOT!Apparently the essential oils are also antiseptic and were used to disinfect floors during WWI. I would not use this either as a branch in my viv.
08/26/08  07:49pm

 #1843756


Dragonryan
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   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 1843437


 Question about branches

ok thanks for the input. very helpful i wanted to make sure i didnt put anything i shouldent into their viv.
08/27/08  12:15am

 #1843823


DragonPaw
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   Message To: Dragonryan   In reference to Message Id: 1843756


 Question about branches

Clouddancer22, did you pull that right from Wikipedia? ;)

Quote:

An essential oil extracted from eucalyptus leaves contains compounds that are powerful natural disinfectants and which can be toxic in large quantities.


^Link I
It is about the leaves, not the wood.

Also, here are quotes from sites about wood for birds, but they have some facts about the toxicity, etc....

Quote:

Eucalyptus - while it appears on many toxic lists I have never been able to find a good reason for it being there. The level of phenols (the toxic elements in eucalyptus) is lower than in many pine species which are considered perfectly safe. While you might want to avoid the foliage there doesn’t appear to be any reason to do so.


^Link II

Quote:

Eucalyptus branches are popular "chew branches" amongst aviculturists. It is best to remove eucalyptus leaves as they may be contaminated with Aspergillus spores.

It has also been stated that there might a potential toxicity as far as the seeds and leaves are concerned. I was not able to confirm that.


^Link III

Link IV

Again, links II to IV are about birds - just thought I would put the information up.

Personally, I have used eucalyptus branches (without the leaves) in my dragons’ enclosure for nearly three years now and have never had a problem. If evidence of the wood being toxic to reptiles comes up, of course it should be removed immediately. But so far I see no evidence of problems with the use of the wood. You can try it out... Keep an eye out just in case.
08/27/08  03:00am

 #1843862


TwilightDreamer1979
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   Message To: DragonPaw   In reference to Message Id: 1843823


 Question about branches

Fruit tree branches are supposed to be the thing to use (apparantly) eg. apple, cherry etc ...

TD.x.
08/27/08  06:40am

 #1844154


Clouddancer22
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   Message To: TwilightDreamer1979   In reference to Message Id: 1843862


 Question about branches

Quote:

Eucalyptus - while it appears on many toxic lists I have never been able to find a good reason for it being there. The level of phenols (the toxic elements in eucalyptus) is lower than in many pine species which are considered perfectly safe. While you might want to avoid the foliage there doesn’t appear to be any reason to do so.

While Pine may be considered perfectly safe for many uses, it is not considered perfectly safe in our vivs, mostly due to the turpines in the wood AND leaves/needles.

The lavendar is the same way, only lesser so according to what I read in Wikipedia. We all know that Wikipedia is not considered a scholarly resource and is not to be taken as a solid resource, in fact, many schools will not accept it as a resource at all. That being said, yes, it is what I turned to as a quick resource to get some info on my suspicions.

I would not use Eucalytus in my viv, however, I do have some pine in the construction of the topper. It is unfinished pine even. As you have found in your experience, and I have found in mine, that these may be used safely at times.

I think the difference is that these woods must be completely "cured" over time, so that the wood is no longer aromatic, thus the toxic aromatic compounds have disappated.
08/27/08  01:49pm


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