Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i've read about ghost wood and it has some desireable characteristics, for example the ability to host moss. i am, however, having a difficult time finding a supplier.

would any of you know of a source for purchasing ghost wood?

in addition, is there another type of wood with similar properties that you could reccomend? i'm intersted in putting it in a humid environment terrarium. i'd like to arrange it so it looks like the base of a large tree, with plants at the foot of the "tree" and other greenery growing on or around it.

thanks for your help!

...j

Blackjungle usually has some but I am not sure if they have any now
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Jacob Pott's collection
As of 1/16/04
1.2.3 Leucomelas (the 3 juveniles are the brightest orange I've seen there almost red, there not from my trio)
1.1.16 Green and Bronze Auratus
0.0.2 Imitators
0.0.1 Vents (more soon)
0.0.2 Nicaraguan Green and Black Auratus
0.0.3 Citronella Tincs
0.0.2 Powder Blue Tincs
0.0.2 Yellow Back Tincs
1.1.0 Surinam Cobalts (extremely soon)

Black Jungle has ghost wood. I have been told that it is oak tree roots and tough as nails. Very resistant to rot.
ghost wood

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Matt

It is, indeed, oak root. The pieces have merely been sandblasted with course medium to expose the nice coloration and to strip it of it's outer, damaged skin. I usually take a chainsaw and locate places where land is being cleared for housing development. You can usually find the root balls laying on the ground and hopefully get to them before they are burned. The pieces I cut off are usually just sprayed off with a high pressure hose and then allowed to dry out before using in my vivariums. You can really find some amazing looking pieces as oak rootes are pretty twisted and gnarled. I have had pretty goood success with getting moss to take hold and grow on the oak root.

-Bill J.
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I do the same thing as Bill, only I usually cut roots from osage orange trees. Anything that is really water resistant . . . thorn trees, white oak, poplar, etc. However, oak and osage orange are the most rot resistant. I also use a high pressure washer to strip off the outside layer and any grit, grime, etc.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense