I'm setting up an enclosure for tree frogs and was looking for potential woods and plants to use as climbing items. I noticed an already-dead branch on a fatsia japonica in my garden and broke it off. If I scrub the bark off and sterilize it (probably by baking?), will this be safe to use in the enclosure? It's quite sturdy and already aged (bark falling away), and most of it would be elevated away from the water and substrate.
I've read that fatsia japonica is safe for tortoises to eat in moderation, but could find nothing conclusive about it as a vivarium plant/frog compatibility? Of course it won't have any foliage but I want to be careful. Is there any chance of irritants or anything in the wood?
Also, if the dead branch is safe - would it be safe to trim off some living branches and bake them?