Preserving wood and keeping it safe for birds (1 Viewer)

[KC Foggin]

So I found this beautiful piece of driftwood on my last trip to Johns Island. It's filled with lots of nooks and crannies which I could fill with seed and peanut butter. I'd like to preserve it with something, keeping its color, protecting the wood and keeping it safe for birds once it is dry.

Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[jzmtl]

No idea how to do it myself, but maybe google how people make wooden salad bowls and use the same method?

 

[dantheman]

I guess that would be along the lines of Linseed Oil or suchlike. Not sure if, whilst natural, it could be at all toxic if pecked.

There are safe stains and varnishes for nest boxes etc, but they wouldn't be so nice perhaps.

Otherwise, depending on the type of wood, it may well last a good while anyway, especially if you put a 'hat' on it - an umbrella of some sort (thatch/wood etc) to stop rain rotting it out too quickly.

And not forgetting that dead wood is a very good invertebrate home, which would provide food for chickadees/nuthatches/woodpeckers etc - you could let it live it's natural life as an interesting piece of wood without trying to preserve it too well, then consigning it to a quiet corner for the other creepy crawlies (and the wrens etc). Replacing it in time with a new piece of wood sculpture.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Mary]

So I found this beautiful piece of driftwood on my last trip to Johns Island. It's filled with lots of nooks and crannies which I could fill with seed and peanut butter. I'd like to preserve it with something, keeping its color, protecting the wood and keeping it safe for birds once it is dry.

Any suggestions? Thanks

In the Uk, there is Chestnut Food-safe Oil, used by woodturners for things like salad bowls etc. I can't find any mention of what oil it is made from, but if you could contact them, maybe they would let you know.

 

[DownyWP]

Unfortunately, in my experience, branches that are used for feeding birds don't last much longer than a month. The oil from peanut butter and suet gets really nasty right away. ( I say this from a photography point of view, the perch is not very attractive after awhile) I would be careful with wood preservatives, they are most likely harmful to wildlife...

 

[KC Foggin]

Thanks guys.

I think I will just use it as seed pockets.