Cleaning branches and Lichen

ZephyrFly · Jan 19, 2015

I've got some apple tree clippings but they're covered in what look like different types of lichen. This morning I soaked the trimmed down pieces I've kept (I cut them to shape) and put them in the bath with bleach and water, I left them to soak for an hour then drained it and quickly showered/rinsed them. I left them in the bathtub to dry.
I can take a metal pan brush too it later (after work) to take off more lichen and bark but if they're useless then I won't. I'll also bake then for an hour too.

Is all lichen bad?
Will these clippings be safe for my green cheek conure?
Is my process for cleaning OK?
Will I need to leave the branches out in the sun because of the bleach? (Not much sun this time of year and its the UK)
I can put up pictures but not til later.

All advice is appreciated.

ZephyrFly · Jan 19, 2015

Advice is still needed... Aka bump

ZephyrFly · Jan 19, 2015

i think i came up with a solution!
Vegetable peeler. Peel off the bark while its wet!
They're just now in the oven baking, and pazu is napping on my shoulder.
Still want advice on the bleach solution as I'd like to clear up whether I definitely need to leave the branches in the sun after they're baked.

getwozzy · Jan 19, 2015

I would remove any moss and lichens from the bark- i do this when I power wash my branches.

Also, make sure the tree wasn't sprayed with any pesticides- if you're unsure, then I would pass on the branches. Pesticides cannot be cleaned off.

Were the branches free from any bleach smell before you started baking them?? Be careful of using bleach around your birds- the fumes are toxic. Make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area.

ZephyrFly · Jan 19, 2015

trees from my back garden and never treated. I couldn't smell bleach anymore and they were left in my bathroom for 8 hours after being rinsed with clean water (an hour soaking in bleach water, rinsed with plain water, 8 hours drying in the same tub, pealed the bark, baked for an hour at 125 Celsius).
What would happen if I baked them still smelling of bleach?

getwozzy · Jan 19, 2015

Sounds good! I wouldn't worry about putting them in the sun- you've done plenty so far. If you wanted to add the sun step, do it after you rinse them/before you bake them.

If they still smelled like bleach, then all of the bleach hasn't evaporated yet- and when you heat bleach, those fumes are very toxic. Do NOT ever boil or heat bleach unless you want deadly gas throughout your house.

ZephyrFly · Jan 19, 2015

... Well I didn't notice the smell of bleach before peeling the branches so I hope its all good. I will admit that I didn't look out for the smell, and the smell of bleach was very strong this morning when I bleach bathed the branches.... So if all is well by morning I did well!

getwozzy · Jan 19, 2015

Well if you didn't notice the smell and they were dry, then you should be fine.

ZephyrFly · Jan 20, 2015

They weren't very dry I'll be honest. I kept the doors closed and the windows open but they were still pretty damp when I got home. They were soft and peelable.... I haven't given them to my bird yet, they're sat in my kitchen. But tomorrow or the day after I might bake them again to make double sure they're dry.

Cleaning branches and Lichen

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oh boy, cocky escaped, what's she wrecked?

She's bothering me with her head

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