Finding local driftwood.

[mdfa.ca]

So, where does one go to find local driftwood? I mean, living on the shore of Lake Ontario, I often wonder, could I use some of the driftwood I sometimes find on the beach? Sometimes there are some interesting pieces, but I'm always worried about bacteria/chemicals/ etc... And knowing how expensive driftwood can be in a LFS, well, why not? If you could, what kind of processing do you have to do to make sure it's safe and has anyone done that successfully?

Margaret.

[GaryofMontreal]

I've used driftwood from north of Montreal lakes with no problem. I wouldn't use Saint-Laurent river stuff, although I see lots of it. I worry about pollution. I like to take it from clean lakes.
I may upset some people here, but my only treatment of driftwood is to soak it. I pt it in a tub out back, change the water regularly and keep mosquitoes from having access. If it goes out in April, some's good by June, most by October.I have a mini-pond with circulating water that I've been treating some very gnarled dry hedge wood in, and neither the fish nor the water seems worse for the introduction. When it no longer floats (I submerge it with rocks) it's ready.
Avoid all softwood, especially resinous pine type trees.
Ideally, it goes into a tank with Loracarid catfish. Peckoltia sp can treat wood really fast.

[neon]

So, where does one go to find local driftwood? I mean, living on the shore of Lake Ontario, I often wonder, could I use some of the driftwood I sometimes find on the beach? Sometimes there are some interesting pieces, but I'm always worried about bacteria/chemicals/ etc... And knowing how expensive driftwood can be in a LFS, well, why not? If you could, what kind of processing do you have to do to make sure it's safe and has anyone done that successfully?

Margaret.


that is where I go is Lake Ontario, its full of driftwood...its free and no one cares if you take it.....

My husband made speaker stands from 6 pieces.......looks awesome!

I also found a very unique looking one that I placed in my garden.

[mdfa.ca]

Thanks Gary and Neon! Neon, when you collect from Lake Ontario, what kind of treatment do you put it through before using it in an aquarium? I think I'm more worried about pollution leaching out from the wood than anything else.

M.

[Melody]

Treatments are more for bacteria & the like. Pollution like oil or whatever can't be treated reliably, I'm afraid. To disinfect, most boil the wood. Since it heats it all the way through, it kills off any nasties and it also reduces the tannins. It smells horrible and stains pots though.

[mdfa.ca]

Ok, I'll keep that in mind and use an old pot. Incidentally, I'll be in Sauble Beach area this weekend, maybe I'll find some nice driftwood there!

Thank you!

[CACAdmin]

Good luck with your driftwood hunt. Let us know if you find any really cool pieces.

[mdfa.ca]

Well, the driftwood search was a bust :twitcy:. We did make it to Sauble Beach but, let's just say, Sauble beach was a LOT different than I remembered it from ab. 25 years ago LOL. The beach was clean, there was nothing on it, other than millions of people and kids. We didn't have time to visit any of the more remote beach areas and the lake we were on only had soft wood (cedar mainly) so I did not home with any souvenirs. I guess I'm back to haunting lake Ontario beaches...

[CACAdmin]

Sorry to hear your hunt didn't net you any driftwood. It's amazing how much places change over the years. It seems often that the more frequented a place becomes by people, the more 'groomed' and less natural it becomes. Maybe the opportunity sometime to detour off the beaten track to a more remote beach will present itself one of these days. Good luck in your hunt!

[neon]

Well, the driftwood search was a bust :twitcy:. We did make it to Sauble Beach but, let's just say, Sauble beach was a LOT different than I remembered it from ab. 25 years ago LOL. The beach was clean, there was nothing on it, other than millions of people and kids. We didn't have time to visit any of the more remote beach areas and the lake we were on only had soft wood (cedar mainly) so I did not home with any souvenirs. I guess I'm back to haunting lake Ontario beaches...


kinda wondered when you mentioned the beach as they all have been cleaned up.

We just go to Lakeshore and Kipling area.