Put them in a CLEAN tub that's been freshly scrubbed with bleach and rinsed EXTREMELY well. Pour LOTS of rolling boiling hot water on them. That is what I had to do for the 3' bamboo pieces. Took 3 giant (I used the tamale steamer pot) pots of water to properly cover them all.

As for the actual use of Oak, I can not say yea or nay. Someone else will have to help you there.