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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

62.0. "Christmass Tree's" by ALCTRZ::BROOKS_DO () Mon Nov 28 1988 15:08

    Are Christmas tree's Poisonous?
    
    Donna
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62.1Green all year = do not use!FOOT::STRIJCKER7th in the family and the biggest!Tue Nov 29 1988 05:4112
    We made a rule, not to use any wood from any tree that stays green
    all year round.                                        
    
    From what I can remember, not all greentrees are poisonous, the
    difficult bit is which ones are and which ones are not.
    
    Since a Christmas tree stays green all year round, I would keep
    the bird well clear of it.
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    Wivine.
62.2KEROSENE?SALEM::VTOWLEMAGNUM FORCE,261-2467,NIO/P10Tue Nov 29 1988 08:492
    I think kerosene is made from evergreens....think about in!!
    
62.3I think you meant turpentineUPNRTH::BRIERLEYIs it magic or is it science?Tue Nov 29 1988 10:039
    I am not sure what this has to do with birds, but for what it is
    worth, here goes ...

    Kerosene is a petroleum product akin to jet fuel. Gum turpentine
    however is made by slowly roasting Pitch Pines in an enclosed oven.
    The process also yields a good amount of pine tar. This was a thriving
    industry in colonial New England.
    
    Eric
62.4MED::D_SMITHTue Nov 29 1988 13:164
    I also believe pin contains creosote (spelling?) that was used as
    a wood preservative. This has been removed from the market as being
    extremmly deadly. This byproduct is also what causes most chimny
    fires for those who burn pin in the fireplaces.
62.5Pine is fine ?AKOV13::LAJEUNESSETue Nov 29 1988 13:2211
    I have a book that is intitled the Grey Parrot.  I bought it when
    I bought my bird.  The author suggest giving your grey, pine cones
    as well as fur/pine branches.  I can't remember exactly but I do
    know that this was supposed to be good for feather development.
    
    I'll check and see what it says.
    
    
    Mark
    
    
62.6VAXRT::RUZICHHow many in your quartet?Tue Nov 29 1988 14:408
    Pine cones sound like a great idea.  The seeds (pine nuts) are used
    quite bit in Middle Eastern cooking, and by American Indians.  It
    should be fun for the bird to extricate.
    
    I've read that yew branches are very poisonous.  They have berries, not
    cones. 
    
    -Steve
62.7The Vet said....ALCTRZ::BROOKS_DOTue Dec 06 1988 15:228
    After reading all this controversy, I decided to call my Vet and
    they said that pine trees them selfs are not poisonous....but
    the fire retardent that they put on the trees is and also the
    pine needles are sharp enough to blind a bird... needless
    to say Spot and Baby blue are staying away from the tree..
    
    Thanks
    Donna
62.8Small change from Jean Hutchins 8^}SMURF::HORNERTue Dec 20 1988 11:4123
    Time to enter my 2 Cents....
    
    We really get carried away with the birds don't we?  I am including
    myself here too....that's how my aviary became known and registered
    as "Feathered Obsessions Aviary"...But...
    
    If we as responsible bird keepers are supposed to be committed to
    to creating a habitat at home as close to what is natural for the
    bird...why question trees?  Where are nests built?  Where are feeders
    hung from?  What do cats climb to catch a bird?  Where are the best
    perches obtained?  
    
    I would not question natural things, but I do question the hybrids
    things...such as ornamental trees...
    
    Christmas trees, if regular untreated natural living pine should
    not be a problem...artificial trees, well, those are all plastic...
    and you are wise to keep the birds away...
    
    Other hazards with Christmas trees are the ornaments, lights and
    wires, etc...
    
    Jean