Maple for perches

[betty]

I have a lot of access to sugar maple to make some perches for my Too, i have read so many different angles on maples, i was wondering what the general consensus is on using it for a perch. Should the bark be removed and how should it be prepared. thanks everybody, appreciate the help.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Maples are generally safe, as long as the bark is removed. Even though the bark itself is not toxic, it "can" harbor a fungus, and when this fungus is inhaled, it "could" cause problems.

Also please make sure that the trees you are using haven't been sprayed with any kind of pesticide.

When I use natural wood, I tend beat them onto the floor for a while in hopes of removing any lose critters, and then store them in the garage for a season or two before I use them.

 

[forbey]

Maples are generally safe, as long as the bark is removed. Even though the bark itself is not toxic, it "can" harbor a fungus, and when this fungus is inhaled, it "could" cause problems.

Also please make sure that the trees you are using haven't been sprayed with any kind of pesticide.

When I use natural wood, I tend beat them onto the floor for a while in hopes of removing any lose critters, and then store them in the garage for a season or two before I use them.

I would expect you to advise the same for apple branches. I have a friend who has an orchard. IF he sprays, can I harvest limbs prior to the Spring spraying? Would debarking them remove any residual pesticides from the previous year? I'm a lot leary about using any of them before making absolutely sure there is no residual pesticide residue.

If the maple branches work for the bird, let us know ... I'm a diabetic who loves maple flavoring ... I might chew on a few branches myself! LOL

Forbey

 

[JerseyWendy]

I would expect you to advise the same for apple branches. I have a friend who has an orchard. IF he sprays, can I harvest limbs prior to the Spring spraying? Would debarking them remove any residual pesticides from the previous year? I'm a lot leary about using any of them before making absolutely sure there is no residual pesticide residue.

If the maple branches work for the bird, let us know ... I'm a diabetic who loves maple flavoring ... I might chew on a few branches myself! LOL

Forbey

Yes, Forbey, apple tree branches are safe, including the bark, however, if they were EVER sprayed with any pesticide or other chemicals, do NOT use them. Even if the bark is removed, the underlying layers surely will hold residues of the toxins.

Also, trees growing near major highways should be avoided as they may be contaminated with exhaust fumes from cars.

HAHAHAHHA about chewing up maples branches.

 

[betty]

Thanks for the answers, luckily i live in the woods, so no highways and no pesticides. thanks again

 

[JerseyWendy]

Thanks for the answers, luckily i live in the woods, so no highways and no pesticides. thanks again

No problem. Now I just can't help myself, so I'm gonna just say it. Every time I see your avatar picture I get a case of the giggles, especially combined with your user name.

 

[JDlugosz]

What kind of pesticide that's still in use today would cause any problems for birds, and what is this "residue" under the bark?

 

[JerseyWendy]

What kind of pesticide that's still in use today would cause any problems for birds, and what is this "residue" under the bark?

Just go to either Lowe's or Home Depot's website, type in fungicide or pesticide, and you get a pretty good idea of what is out there. You can also read the individual labels of some of the products. OH, and those products are just SOME that are out there today. There are more harmful ones that are only obtainable if you are certified in pest control.

I'd be happy to give you my pest control company's phone number and they can discuss the "residues" with you that CAN be found under the bark from certain sprays.

Also, THIS article may explain it to you a bit.
http://www.avianweb.com/safewoods.html

 

[JDlugosz]

What kind of pesticide that's still in use today would cause any problems for birds, and what is this "residue" under the bark?

Just go to either Lowe's or Home Depot's website, type in fungicide or pesticide, and you get a pretty good idea of what is out there. You can also read the individual labels of some of the products. OH, and those products are just SOME that are out there today. There are more harmful ones that are only obtainable if you are certified in pest control.

I'd be happy to give you my pest control company's phone number and they can discuss the "residues" with you that CAN be found under the bark from certain sprays.

Also, THIS article may explain it to you a bit.
Wood / Trees / Bushes Considered Safe for Birds

That page just states, “Any pesticide residue renders all safe wood toxic” (emphasis mine) which is certainly an overstatement. In fact, modern pesticides are specific to the unique metabolism of bugs and don't affect vertebrates much at all. While not outright toxic, there might be some subtle long-term effects to chronic exposure. Also, birds are different than mammals so what's harmless to dogs and people might still affect birds somehow.

If you have a link to any reputable information concerning pesticide residue under bark (not just on bark), I'd be interested. Why doesn't it come off with the cleaning/disinfecting process? How would people even know that was true?

—John

 

[JerseyWendy]

That page just states, “Any pesticide residue renders all safe wood toxic” (emphasis mine) which is certainly an overstatement. In fact, modern pesticides are specific to the unique metabolism of bugs and don't affect vertebrates much at all. While not outright toxic, there might be some subtle long-term effects to chronic exposure. Also, birds are different than mammals so what's harmless to dogs and people might still affect birds somehow.

If you have a link to any reputable information concerning pesticide residue under bark (not just on bark), I'd be interested. Why doesn't it come off with the cleaning/disinfecting process? How would people even know that was true?

—John

I encourage you to do a search yourself, John. Feel free to provide your birds with questionable wood, but do so at your own risk.

I personally prefer to take every precaution I can think of to keep my fids healthy and happy.

 

[Nokota]

Maples are generally safe, as long as the bark is removed. Even though the bark itself is not toxic, it "can" harbor a fungus, and when this fungus is inhaled, it "could" cause problems.

Also please make sure that the trees you are using haven't been sprayed with any kind of pesticide.

When I use natural wood, I tend beat them onto the floor for a while in hopes of removing any lose critters, and then store them in the garage for a season or two before I use them.

Having also researched this subject thoroughly myself, I can confirm that this fungus occurs only in the red maple. Sugar maple should be just great with our without bark. You should bake it in the oven at about 190 degrees (wood burns at boiling point, all organisms die at 180) for about an hour to both dry out the wood a bit and kill anything in it.