Sugar Maple (Perch wood) help

[noodles123]

A sugar maple tree was being cut down near me and I took some of the limbs to make a tree stand. I baked the wood etc. Do I need to worry about the bark harboring a fungus if it has been baked?
Some sources say to remove the bark, but I soaked the wood in hot water, scrubbed the branches and baked them.
Can I leave the bark on?

 

[ChristaNL]

Nope, your too will have it off in no-time at all
(good luck in trying to keep the bark on)


but I think you are quite safe esp after baking etc.