I am getting close to finally having all of the pieces I need to start working on my WTF terrarium. I have been slowly collecting what I will need to make this tank awesome for my pair, but the two things that have been eluding me have been the perfect branches and leaf litter to hide my substrate to keep Apollo and Artemis from swallowing dirt when when they're on the hunt for their delicious crickets.

I have a 24" x 24" x 18" for my pair (at the time of the purchase, I was trying to have the same foot print of a 20 gallon tall aquarium that was being housed in an entertainment center) and I would like to have some funky branches angled towards the front of the tank in attempt to the two towards the front of the tank. All of the setups I have seen so far seem to have everything built around the sides of the tank. I find the center to be wasted space.

My question is...

If I find something in my yard that is absolutely perfect, what is the proper procedure for making it safe for my tank? I have been told that baking the branches at 200 degrees for half an hour works. Is that all? Or should I boil it first (or soak it in extremely hot water) and then bake it? What about using leaves from outside? I found this site: New England Herpetoculture LLC - Substrate - Leaf Litter and directions for the leaf litter. Is that a good process to use? Or does anyone have a better idea?