Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was thinking about building instead of a fake rock background, a fake tree bottom. The trunk of the tree being the background with roots poking up through the substrate.

My idea was instead of putting concrete/tile grout over styro, manybe i could use greatstuff coated with bark. They sell big flat peices of bark at a garden store near me by the bag, probably about the size of a can of soda but flat (also smaller broken up pieces) I was thinking with a brown colored dye it might look pretty good once its covered.

Could there be any problems though like the bark decaying or something?

If you used cork bark the issues with decay would be greatly reduced compared to many other barks. I think it's a good idea.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Also to keep in mind....If this was once living bark, it may be harboring unwanted "critters". It would be wise to freeze it for a few days before using it.
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Robert Charvat
1.1 het albino Western Hognose

instead of frezzing would putting in the oven do the same? I heard soewhere to do that with driftwood. that way you wouldnt get any moisture in it which would probably accelerate decay, i thought though if i completely covered it with concrete or tile grout maybe there wouldnt be any decaying but i wountnt want cracks and to eventually have to replace it.

IF the "tree trunk" isn't going to be too big you could find a trunk you like and make a mold, then "inject" great stuff into it and the cover that with grout and paint it. It would stand up just as well as fake rock and you can even get moss to grow on it. The roots sticking out of the ground can be make with chicken wire, great stuff and grout. Just form it, fill it and grout and paint it. I have wanted to do this for a long time but I just don't have the time to do it yet..
Blue