Safe & Unsafe branches to use for perches

[carlamay]

SAFE AND UNSAFE WOOD FOR PARROTS

The following trees are NON-TOXIC and considered SAFE to use for your bird's perches and toys. Don’t use branches that have been treated or sprayed with chemicals or pesticides. Branches from trees growing near the street or roads should not be used as they may be contaminated with exhaust fumes from cars. ****ASTERISKS**** indicate those that I use or have used for my own birds - who are all alive, healthy and without ill effects.

SAFE - NON-TOXIC

*Ash, Almond
*Apple, Aspen
Bamboo, Beech
*Birch, Citrus
*Cottonwood, Crabapple
Dogwood, Dragonwood
*Elm, Fir
Gingko, *Grapevine
Hackberry, Hawthorn
Hazelnut, Hibiscus
Honeysuckle
Larch, *Lilac
Magnolia, *Manzanita
*Maple (except red,) Oak - wood only
Palm, Pear
*Pine, *Poplar
Rose, Sassafras
Spruce, Sweet Gum
Sycamore, Willow

The following trees are considered TOXIC and should NEVER be offered to your bird:

Apricot, Black locust
Box Elder, Boxwood,
Buckeye, Cherry,
Crape Myrtle, Hemlock,
Oak - leaves, bark and acorns,
Peach,
Pine (needles and berries,
Plum,
Red Maple,
Redwood,
Sumac
http://www.thelaughingparrot.com/Safeplants.html

I found this interesting as I have used crepe myrtle and thought it was safe. Hope others find it helpful as well.

[Perfex]

I have crepe myrtle in my finch flight. Yikes, will have to read up on that as I thought it was safe. Thanks for the info.

[Jon]

I have crape myrtle and my birds have been chewing on it without harm. A friend of my moms had an entire crape myrtle tree inside her aviary. (which she bred budgies in) I can of find it hard to believe it's toxic, especially since almost every site I've been on stated it as safe.

Also, mulberry is safe, right? I've used to for parrots, but just wondering about how others feel about it.

[carlamay]

I too have used crepe myrtle and have had no ill effects - but finches don't chew like parrots. this article is most definately food for thought and further exploration.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

I wouldn't have guessed peach or nectarine to be toxic either, but apparently they are. But as already mentioned, I believe all of this pertains more to parrots that are more apt to chew heavily on the wood. Bob

[finchandlovebird]

Super Info I printed it out for my bird binder

[Abigail]

Great post! Thank you!