Question for bird toy and perch makers!

[Bridgetl895]

A large tree branch fell in front of my building and it was the perfect shape for a perch.
The tree it fell from is a London Plane tree which is of the sycamore variety.

1) is this safe for my bird to chew
2) if I clean off the bark and decontaminate it by soaking it in a solution should I still be worried about mold or if the tree branch fell because it was diseased?

 

[Bridgetl895]

Here is a picture of the tree

 

[Flboy]

I would pass it up! In this environment, the are too many unknowns to risk a life on!

 

[Parrotjoy]

Sycamore is generally considered a safe wood. There are a few other things to consider...

Is it possible it's been treated with any pesticides or herbicides? It looks like a well-established tree, so probably not. In this case, my concern would be exhaust from that busy city street. I frequently gather wood for DIY perches and this looks like a cool tree, but I would pass because of potential exhaust.

Not sure what you were thinking of for a soaking solution, but what I usually use is dish soap. I go over the branch with hot water/dish soap and a scrub brush. I scrub particularly hard in the crotches between branches. Then I immediately rinse in the shower under hot water so the soap doesn't soak into the wood. Repeat, if needed. I towel off with an old rag and set them to dry.

 

[charmedbyekkie]

The standard recommendation is to soak and scrub in a solution like vinegar or F10 (these are both bird-safe), then bake it in an oven to kill anything left.

Ultimately it's your prerogative to make the decision on whether it's safe for your bird. I've seen people go both ways.

 

[Flboy]

Always start with a live branch, should be no reason to remove bark!