Ash wood for mounting

[IraGlacialis]

We have an ash(?) tree that has a branch that needs to be taken off. I am planning on using it to mount my Phal, Catts, and (possibly) Vandas.

Just wondering if ash is okay to be used for mounts. Or is there some chemical in there I need to worry about?

Oh and here is a pic of the leaves just in case my tree identification is incorrect.


Branch that may become future mount.

[IraGlacialis]

Is there anybody who can help with this?
I don't want to go ahead with mounting only to find the plants to be poisoned by some chemical in the wood.

[John D.]

Ash should work well. Stay away from walnut and its relatives. They produce chemicals through the roots to reduce plant growth in the area. I have phals mounted on gum doing well.

[IraGlacialis]

Okay. Thanks man.

[cirillonb]

looking at the branch you will need to worry about borers and other critters. Some of the OB member bake their wild wood in the oven for awhile. Others soak in stuff but I question whether that will work.
I have very little experience with the water tolerance of ash. That becomes a problem down the line.
Nick

[IraGlacialis]

Originally Posted by cirillonb

I have very little experience with the water tolerance of ash. That becomes a problem down the line.
Nick

So a big issue is whether or not the log will rot and fall apart?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by IraGlacialis

So a big issue is whether or not the log will rot and fall apart?

Ira, the only woods that won't rot and fall apart (in your lifetime), and are safe for mounting orchids, are any cedars, redwood, certain Mahogany species, and perhaps, Manzanita. When mounting an orchid, the clue to longevity of the mount is how dry it gets (wet/dry cycles). Just about any wood will rot when kept in hot/humid conditions where microorganisms can flourish. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as you can remount the plant on a new chunk of wood.

[IraGlacialis]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Yes, where do you live?

Missouri, near Kansas City, zone 5-6, which definately disqualifies a permanant tree mounting in the wintertime.

Originally Posted by Ross

Also, the bark has much less resistance to decay. There isn't any way to preserve the bark structure that would be safe for the orchids. How wet will the chunk of wood stay? Daily mistings or even dunkings are fine as long as the limb dries out overnight. I really think the whole project is worth undertaking as long as the bark is gone.

Frankly, I was choosing the branch (besides the fact it was going down anyways) due to the texture of the bark. I was think of doing a nurse-log type setting.
The form of watering I am planning on doing is daily morning mistings.

Originally Posted by Ross

Ira, the only woods that won't rot and fall apart (in your lifetime), and are safe for mounting orchids, are any cedars, redwood, certain Mahogany species, and perhaps, Manzanita. When mounting an orchid, the clue to longevity of the mount is how dry it gets (wet/dry cycles). Just about any wood will rot when kept in hot/humid conditions where microorganisms can flourish. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as you can remount the plant on a new chunk of wood.

In that case, I am in luck. We have a lot of Eastern redceder trees on some property down south in central MO. If the bark begins degrading within a short amount of time, I will have a longterm solution to this scenario.
I was planning on having this as simply an experiment anyways.
Besides, in a college dorm, a desktop log is a lot more efficient than five pots of varying sizes.

BTW, I always thought ceders had chemicals in them that would inhibit growth.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by IraGlacialis

BTW, I always thought ceders had chemicals in them that would inhibit growth.

I have several mounts on Port Orford Cedar (way more strong than Eastern Red Cedar or White Cedar) and they take to it just fine. Lots of roots and great growth. I had heard that, but suspect it's an old wive's tale.

[cirillonb]

Almost all natural materials used for mounts will disintegrate in time, the idea is to pick one that lasts longest. I suspect it is a big mess when you have to remount a large plant.
Nick