One thing I should have mentioned about the birch branches is that they came from a tree in my grandpa's yard. he has had that tree growing there for over 40 years and it has never been sprayed with pesticide. I did read the article someone else posted in the terrarium forum and it listed birch as a no-no. It then said to avoid the woods listed because of their higher chance of pesticide contamination. Is that the only reason they should not be used or is it because the wood itself is toxic?

I guess I'm thinking I should just go buy some wood from the pet store....unless someone can tell me a type of wood they've safely used that I could possibly find here.