oak

[Chrisja77]

So I'm looking around for safe/unsafe trees to use for perch projects and I'm finding differing information about oak trees. Some say oak is bad and some say it's ok as long as acorns, leaves, and bark is removed. Which is it? I've got 2 big oak trees in my yard I could do some nice projects with if I could use the limbs.

 

[triordan]

I wouldnt take the risk~ I too have read mixed reviews

 

[Remy]

I think acorns are poisonous unless they are processed to remove the poison (I remember reading about Native Americans doing it and making bread with them, but saying it was poisonous otherwise). Everyplace I've found seems to recommend against oak though. I wouldn't worry about a little accidental exposure, but I would avoid exposure.

 

[Spiritbird]

From what I have learned no part of an oak tree is safe for birds.

 

[roxynoodle]

I would also avoid oak. I avoid my maple trees as well since I'm unsure of what kind I have. Plus they are old and seem to have ants and things crawling on them all the time. If you have access to Mulberry, it makes very nice perches and bugs never seem to bother those trees (when they are alive anyway). The birds also like to eat the leaves. And the trees are short which makes for easy reach of branches for me.

 

[Luna]

Hi, As you probably know the oakbark contains tanin used for tanning leather. This acid might be harmfull in quantity. Dried oak wood such a dowelling or unfinished oak flooring boards would be safe. The latter would make very good perchases for small parrots such as lovebirds. D.D.

 

[Mare Miller]

Amigo lives in, chews on, sometimes sleeps in oak trees. He has chewed off branches as thick as my wrist, takes him a couple days, but he's still alive and well.

He's an umbrella cockatoo and unless they have different systems from a grey, (may have), I'm thinking he will be safe.

 

[Mare Miller]

I understand that manzanita is a good choice, by many. I have not had any issues with oak in, going on, two years.