branches for GTP enclosure

[stretch]

Hi All

I am currently using pvc pipes as perches for my adult and sub adult GTPs, I want to go with a more natural look. Can anyone suggest what common trees have good branches for this purpose, and more importantly what trees I should stay away from?

Thanks

[Bulvai]

Ive been using branches sold at petshops for Parrots. My snakes love them and their quite cheap

[insaniac]

You can buy those poles they use when constructing new roads / whatever quite inexpensively...

They are quite pleasing to the eye and you can buy a long length for next to nothing and cut it up to suit your needs.

They also look quite good when varnished to darker colours.

When you varnish, just be sure the varnish is non toxic.

Or on second thought you can get those darker pieces of thinner branches they sell next to the road... Y'know, the ones they use to build the " wooden walls " and " plant frames " ...

They sell the individual pieces for cheap ( R 5 - 10 a piece )

Just check for wood lice etc. before you put it in the cage, their not harmful to animals, but they can make a mess when they start burrowing into the wood.

Whatever you choose, enjoy the fabrication and post some pics when u done !

[Mitton]

This tree looks nice in cages. viewtopic.php?f=49&t=12396&hilit=tree

[stretch]

Thanks for the replies, Mittone that looks like Pride of India to me, I have quite a few of these trees in my neighbourhood so I will use them, I think they will look good.

Thanks

[Sico]

pride of india is good, as is bluegum, and a good, althoguh quite soft wood, Willow Trees have a nice rough bark (good for shedding) and they have some good shapes that can work well in a terrarium. I have currently just finished two cages with Syringa, which looks really nice.

[Buck Rogers]

Stay away from Bluegum, I have never found ANY herps near bluegum and IMO there is something about the bluegums that I think are bad for herpd. IMO!

[drummer]

stay away from Bluegum, I have never found ANY herps near bluegum and IMO there is something about the bluegums that I think are bad for herpd. IMO!

Think about it.... eucalyptus mulch is quite commonly and safely used as a substrate in herpetoculture...so there goes your theory about blugums/eucalyptus being bad for herps

[fredsmith]

Birds aren't even keen on nesting in bluegums... I'm with Buck on this one. There's something about bluegums in particular animals avoid.

[drummer]

In South Africa you don't really find animals thriving in them as they are an alien invasive species. Perhaps the lack of natural pests...therefore there are no prey items to start a food chain etc etc etc.

Dried out bluegum branches are fine to use for herps. As long as there is no oozing sap its all good.

[fredsmith]

I never thought about that like that before... Good point Drummer.

[Buck Rogers]

Yeah, that is a really good point, never looked at it in that way before.

Does bluegum not secrete a sap of some sort?? What effect is that to herps??

[Amphibian]

One of my greatest finds since i have been keeping herps is the Guava tree.....these are the best branches you will ever find.
No bark, solid wood, very twisty (looks cool) and for some reason does not rot...ever, so can handle heavy misting.
The stuff is like the holy grail of the herp culture and guava trees are everywhere when you start looking for them.

[drummer]

Yes guava trees are great! I also used Litchi tree branches when i had many chameleons. They also don't seem to rot and when dry the leaves don't fall off, so there is nice vegetation in the cage(even though it is brown). Great display material.

[stretch]

Thanks for the replies, I will look for guava tree branches.

Whatever branches I use I am thinking I should put a coat or 2 of a non toxic sealant on them, same as the one you would seal a tank with, this should ensure that the branch doesn't rot.

What do you think?