Tree in outdoor enclosure

[thewise21]

Usually do a bunch of research but final decision usually made through info from this forum. Just finished up my outdoor planter/ enclosure for my Tito. 2 biggest hobbies are bonsai and chameleons. Plan on incorporating both hobbies into this outdoor cage . Looking for some possible experience with trees that are safe and best for chameleons. FL chameleons have a huge list and thinking about an elm or river birch. Any one out there have any experiences with actual trees

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

IIRC, FLchameleons list is plants safe for dogs & cats—not reptiles/chameleons.
These lists are chameleon-safe:
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
https://www.madcham.de/en/pflanzen-fuers-terrarium/
https://www.chameleons.info/l/safe-and-unsafe-plants/
https://www.chameleonschool.com/safe-plants-for-chameleons/

Hardwoods should be OK, as would any of the "centerpiece" plants on: https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
They'll grow fairly large outdoors.
Another possibility (check growing requirements) is Madagascar Jasmine.

 

[thewise21]

IIRC, FLchameleons list is plants safe for dogs & cats—not reptiles/chameleons.
These lists are chameleon-safe:
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
https://www.madcham.de/en/pflanzen-fuers-terrarium/
https://www.chameleons.info/l/safe-and-unsafe-plants/
https://www.chameleonschool.com/safe-plants-for-chameleons/

Hardwoods should be OK, as would any of the "centerpiece" plants on: https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
They'll grow fairly large outdoors.
Another possibility (check growing requirements) is Madagascar Jasmine.

I have several bonsai actual tree species. River birch being one I am thinking bout using.

 

[Sonny13]

Had the same idea for indoors, however couldn´t find a descent large bonsai. I´ve now used the Schefflera tree, that one grows really great (kind of Bonsai look) and is Chameleon save. An option for you would be the Olea Europaea Bonsai, I use the branches of the regular olive tree for the indoor setup.

 

[thewise21]

Had the same idea for indoors, however couldn´t find a descent large bonsai. I´ve now used the Schefflera tree, that one grows really great (kind of Bonsai look) and is Chameleon save. An option for you would be the Olea Europaea Bonsai, I use the branches of the regular olive tree for the indoor setup.

Got the shceffalera inside. Put a hibiscus outdoor and thinking about a river birch I got

 

[snitz427]

I have several bonsai actual tree species. River birch being one I am thinking bout using.

i use riverbirch branches in my enclosures. I have ficus alii in my outdoor enclosures. Ficus benjamin, etc would be good. I want to find a new tree, too - that can stay outside through my winters.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

River Birch seems like a good candidate; it's a hardwood, and has tolerance for moisture.
The only thing I'd want to check out is the essential oils. They may be fine—I'm just not a chemist.

The essential oils derived from leaves, inner bark, and buds of B. nigra are mostly composed of eugenol, linalool, palmitic acid, and heptacosane with many more compounds in smaller concentrations.[12] The combined essential oils are phytotoxic to lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) seedlings. They have also demonstrated insecticidal, nematicidal, and antibacterial properties.

 

[thewise21]

i use riverbirch branches in my enclosures. I have ficus alii in my outdoor enclosures. Ficus benjamin, etc would be good. I want to find a new tree, too - that can stay outside through my winters.

I read on Fl chameleons list that elms and birch trees are ok

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

I read on Fl chameleons list that elms and birch trees are ok

They are, but I understand that list is derived from pants safe for cats & dogs—not necessarily reptiles.

These lists are chameleon-safe:
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
https://www.madcham.de/en/pflanzen-fuers-terrarium/
https://www.chameleons.info/l/safe-and-unsafe-plants/
https://www.chameleonschool.com/safe-plants-for-chameleons/

For wood, the general rule of deciduous/hardwood=good; conifer/evergreen/softwood=bad works for all but a few exotic woods.