where does all the driftwood come from?

[frankenstrat]

just wondering where all the stuff in most shops or the stuff people have for sale comes from?

and is it safe to collect your own? , if you can find it

[joller]

i only collect my own driftwood, next time you're driving through a national park or state forrest keep your eyes peeled for trees that have tipped over, with the roots exposed. thats where i've found some really special peices, keep a wood saw in the car for those trips too, comes in very handy

other places i've collected wood are mangroves, beaches and rivers... i used to let wood soak in hot water or bake in the sun but if it was sources from freshwater or dry exposed roots it goes straight in the tank

[Josh]

I am pretty sure taking it from a national park is illegal. I usually get mine the mangroves along creeks and rivers.

[pseudotrop]

Yep, it's illegal without a permit, plus, threatens species within that national park as well. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/DeadwoodRemovalKtp.htm

[joller]

damn, well i'll keep that in mind for next time, let me replace 'national park' with 'rural areas', most of the stuff i've found came from fallen trees within the road reserve in rural areas.

[frankenstrat]

so the stuff i found along the banks near mangrove trees needs to be soaked in freshwater for a while to get the salt out?

[joller]

if you've got a big plastic tub i'd fill it with hot water and let the wood soak, mangrove driftwood has heaps of insects in it

[E4G13M4N]

Wood in most shops come from overseas through importers, some shops may also purchase local mangrove roots from licensed collectors / property owners .

Collecting from the wild is not allowed so don't get caught different states come down harder than others.

All wood should be soaked before use, as you don't know what sprays etc have been used