Southern Catalpa Tree

[mrclark2010]

Hello! I was trying to see if i could use branches from a Southern Catalpa tree in my panther chameleons enclosure.

 

[Beman]

Hey there. So from a quick google search it seems as though this would be fine. Supposedly the roots are toxic if eaten from what I read. You would strip the leaves and leave the bark on though. You do not want to sand down the branches because this would make them break down far faster in a cham cage. I would cut what you want to use and let them dry a bit in the sun though. This way if anything happens to ooze from the cut branch ends it will stop so they dry out in the sun. The ones that are a hard no to use with chams would be Pine, Cedar, and Eucalyptus.

 

[mrclark2010]

Hey there. So from a quick google search it seems as though this would be fine. Supposedly the roots are toxic if eaten from what I read. You would strip the leaves and leave the bark on though. You do not want to sand down the branches because this would make them break down far faster in a cham cage. I would cut what you want to use and let them dry a bit in the sun though. This way if anything happens to ooze from the cut branch ends it will stop so they dry out in the sun. The ones that are a hard no to use with chams would be Pine, Cedar, and Eucalyptus.

Thank you so much! I usually go out and buy, but wanted to take advantage of whats in my backyard. Its a dope tree and provides lots of shade for my dog and has beautiful flowers and interesting looking seed pods lol. I will cut some of the lower branches, just a few, to use in my new enclosure.

 

[Beman]

Thank you so much! I usually go out and buy, but wanted to take advantage of whats in my backyard. Its a dope tree and provides lots of shade for my dog and has beautiful flowers and interesting looking seed pods lol. I will cut some of the lower branches, just a few, to use in my new enclosure.

Just use the branches though... Plants are iffy you never know what parts can be toxic. Give them a good wash with water and dawn soap then rinse the heck out of them then let them dry out. If you see neighbors trimming trees this is an excellent time to grab branches.

 

[mrclark2010]

Just use the branches though... Plants are iffy you never know what parts can be toxic. Give them a good wash with water and dawn soap then rinse the heck out of them then let them dry out. If you see neighbors trimming trees this is an excellent time to grab branches.

Got it! Taking off the big soft leaves and giving it a good wash and will leave it out in this Houston heat to dry! What about southern live oak branches that have fallen off?

 

[Beman]

Got it! Taking off the big soft leaves and giving it a good wash and will leave it out in this Houston heat to dry! What about southern live oak branches that have fallen off?

So quick google search on that one and it appears to be fine with the exception of the acorns it produces. These can be toxic to animals. So same rules apply but with branches found on the ground you will want to clean them extremely well.

 

[JacksJill]

I'm hesitant to use fallen branches only because they can bring bug infestations in that mess with your plants. If in your case the live branches have fallen from the recent storms and high winds then they should be fine if cleaned properly.

 

[mrclark2010]

I'm hesitant to use fallen branches only because they can bring bug infestations in that mess with your plants. If in your case the live branches have fallen from the recent storms and high winds then they should be fine if cleaned properly.

Ahh true true! yea for sure these just fell from the storm we just had.