Safe Woods

The following list gives you a first glimpse about woods suitable for degus. If you have any question or need more detailled information please ask in the deguworld forum.

How to read this list?

This wood list uses the following structure:

Order: Family
- English plant name (german name)
  (scientific name)

Suitable Woods

The (fresh) leaves and branches of the following woods are safe and can be introduced gradually:

Rosales: Rosaceae
- cherry (ger. Kirsche)
  (Prunus avium)
- plum / prune (ger. Pflaume / Zwetschge)
  (Prunus domestica)
- apricot (ger. Aprikose)
  (Prunus armeniaca)
- peach / nectarine (ger. Pfirsich / Nektarine)
  (Prunus persica)
- rowan, mountain ash (ger. Eberesche, Vogelbeere)
  (Sorbus aucuparia)
- apple (ger. Apfel)
  (Malus domesticus)
- pear (ger. Birne)
  (Pyrus communis)
- quince (ger. Quitte)
  (Cydonia oblonga)
- hawthorn (ger. Weissdorn)
  (Crataegus spp.)
Malpighiales: Salicaceae
- aspen, eurasian aspen (ger. Espe, Zitterpappel)
  (Populus tremula)
- black poplar (ger. Schwarz-Pappel)
  (Populus nigra)
- trembling aspen (ger. Amerikanische Zitterpappel)
  (Populus tremuloides)
- eastern cottonwood (ger. Kanadische Schwarz-Pappel)
  (Populus deltoides)
- Fremont cottonwood
  (Populus fremontii)
- white willow (ger. Silber-Weide)
  (Salix alba)
- weeping willow (ger. Trauerweide)
  (Salix babylonica)
Proteales: Platanaceae
- plane (ger. Platane)
  (Platanus spp.)
Malvales: Malvaceae
- lime, linden (ger. Linde)
  (Tilia spp.)
Fagales: Betulaceae
- hornbeam (ger. Hainbuche)
  (Carpinus betulus)
- birch, silver birch (ger. Birke)
  (Betula pendula)
- black alder (ger. Schwarz-Erle)
  (Alnus spp.)
- grey alder (ger. Grau-Erle)
  (Alnus incana)
- filbert (ger. Lambertnuss)
  (Corylus maxima)
- hazel (ger. Haselnuss)
  (Corylus avellana)
Fagales: Fagaceae
- oak (ger. Eiche)
  (Quercus spp.)
- beech, european beech (ger. Buche, Rotbuche)
  (Fagus sylvatica)
Sapindales: Sapindaceae
- sycamore maple (ger. Bergahorn)
  (Acer pseudoplatanus)
- field maple (ger. Feldahorn)
  (Acer campestre)
- Norway maple (ger. Spitzahorn)
  (Acer platanoides)

Problematic Woods

The following woods are supposed as problematic and probably need a careful usage. Thus they are intended for experienced degu keepers.

Lamiales: Oleaceae
- european ash (ger. Gewöhnliche Esche)
  (Fraxinus excelsior)
Sapindales: Sapindaceae
- sugar maple (ger. Zucker-Ahorn)
  (Acer saccharum)
- silver maple (ger. Silber-Ahorn)
  (Acer saccharinum)
- red maple (ger. Rotahorn)
  (Acer rubrum)
- horse chestnut (ger. Rosskastanie)
  (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Fabales: Fabaceae
- black locust (ger. Gewöhnliche Robinie)
  (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Dipsacales: Adoxaceae
- red elderberry (ger. Roter Holunder)
  (Sambucus racemosa)
- elder (ger. Schwarzer Holunder)
  (Sambucus nigra)
Pinales: Cupressaceae
- juniper (ger. Wacholder)
  (Juniperus communis)

Little Known Woods

The following woods are partially in usage, but it lacks experience. Degu owner having the opportunity to test this plants are requested to share their experiences in the deguworld forum or to write me an e-mail.

Comming soon...
common name (scientific name)
Opinion: [here impression and meaning]

Caution: Toxic Woods

The following woods are toxic and have to be avoided:

Angel's Trumpets (Brugmansia spp.), Common Box (Buxus sempervirens), Mezereon (Daphne mezerum), Common Spindle (Euonymus europaeus), Savin Juniper (Juniperus sabina), Golden Chain (Laburnum anagyroides), Oleander (Nerium oleander), Rhododendron / Azalea (Rhododendron spp.), Yew (Taxus spp.), Thuja (Thuja spp.).

Acknowledgement

Fred, Deguworld Forum (http://deguworld.proboards.com/)