Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Hello folks! Hope everyone is wellš
Iām writing this because Iām very intrigued to get some input/information on where to research more into this.
Last month a comment made on the forum to the effect of āHave you definitely got orchid fir bark, not pine, because they can be marketed as the same in the ukā really peaked my concern being from the uk myself. Iāve always know to be cautious not to buy a pine based substrate and the brands weāve used previously, pro rep(s very reputable brand in the uk) and habistat orchid bark has never been listed as such so I never had any concerns, there were times we had to order a bulk bag off of Amazon, at the time they didnāt have pine in the title and when it arrived, it smelt, felt and looked the exact same as the branded stuff. Iād describe the odour as quite strong when first arriving, however within a few days itās gone.
Our bark is not made of Douglas fir here in the uk, itās far more expensive to get in Europe, I had no idea that was the case at the time, but something in my gut always made me want to stay clear of the stuff they sell in the garden centres here.
We got our red foot into a big new upgrade a good few months ago now, we need roughly 140L to fill the set up, so naturally we re purchased two 70L bulk bags from Amazon.
After seeing that comment on the forum, it peaked my concern, when I went back to the listing we used I could see theyād added āpineā in the title, which understandably made me panic.
I reached out to both the listing and the brands weāve used, I have yet to hear from the listing but hereās the brands responses
Habistat:
āHi, I canāt comment on any other brands
But all of our substrates are 100% safe for animal use š
Our orchard bark is most likely to be from fir trees, not pine trees.
but I will chase a better answer for 100% certain on tree species
But I can 100% assure you our substrates are safe for animals š
I hope that helpsā
I then asked about what kind of trees make the bark specifically, and what the largest is they stock
Follow up responses
āLet me ask tomorrow when I am in the office!
And Iāll see what I can do š
Again though our products are 100% safe and we wouldnāt dare sell them if they werenāt
Iāll be in touch as soon as I have answers šā
āHi, Sorry for the late reply!
We do stock 60L bags. However, you have to ask a local shop to order that for you š
Orchird bark is chipped from the bark of coniferous trees. Pine trees are in this family.
The potentially dangerous side of pine is the fresh needles, which can give off phenols & aromatic hydrocarbons as well as oils which become volatile when heated up, which can lead to issues.
But if baked and dried this removes that issue š
The way we prepare our bark, as well as the nature of the product, makes it completely safe for reptile use š
I hope that helps clear things up!
Please donāt hesitate to message us if you have any further questions.ā
I wasnāt entirely sure what to make of the bit about the only dangerous thing being the needles.
Iāve always recommended habistat orchid bark on here under the presumption of how reputable it is, I need to look further into the specifics of their response.
Pro rep response:
āHello, sorry for the delay.
Thank you for your message, I have looked into this for you. Our orchid bark is made from Maritime Pine trees (Pinus pinaster) Although pine is associated with being toxic; it is only certain species of pine that canāt be used.
The maritime pine is completely safe as it does not release the same toxins/toxin levels as other trees in its family. This type of pine is commonly used for most products as you have found, hence why the one you have purchased from Amazon has the wording in its title.
Rest assured our product will not be toxic or cause ant a verse reactions to your Animals.
Thanks
ProRep Teamā
All this time I do indeed think Iāve been smelling a pine smell when it first arrives now, but Iām left with questions as to whether it is indeed safe after all with how they treat it/the type they use, Iām 99.9% sure the listing weāve ordered from is the exact same stuff, thereās literally no difference in the smell, look or feel, and the smell doesnāt last long.
One thing clear to me is that most, if not all orchid bark in the uk isnāt necessarily a fir bark, but not necessarily unsafe for reptile use either, I definitely need to do more research but Iād love to hear from you lot.
Iām understandably concerned about the substrate that is currently in with her now, like I say it takes around 140L to fill, her owner really doesnāt like coir, itās very messy so I get that, forest floor isnāt sold in big enough bags or cost effective in the slightestš£
If either brands are indeed a safer choice than the listing, pro reps 70L are not cheap and habistat only goes up to 60L, meaning Iād get two and a 20L, if thatās my best bet I might go for thatš
The stuff in with her currently has no smell and doesnāt seem to have caused any issues what so ever the times weāve used it, if Iām to switch it out Iām going to wait until her owner is on holiday in just over a weeks time, just so they donāt feel bad me buying the substrate, I was the one who found the listing, so I feel responsible to correct this.
Iāve included the link to the bulk listing below, if anyone minds taking a look, Iām very interested on what you all make of this!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MS77ZDV/?tag=
Iām writing this because Iām very intrigued to get some input/information on where to research more into this.
Last month a comment made on the forum to the effect of āHave you definitely got orchid fir bark, not pine, because they can be marketed as the same in the ukā really peaked my concern being from the uk myself. Iāve always know to be cautious not to buy a pine based substrate and the brands weāve used previously, pro rep(s very reputable brand in the uk) and habistat orchid bark has never been listed as such so I never had any concerns, there were times we had to order a bulk bag off of Amazon, at the time they didnāt have pine in the title and when it arrived, it smelt, felt and looked the exact same as the branded stuff. Iād describe the odour as quite strong when first arriving, however within a few days itās gone.
Our bark is not made of Douglas fir here in the uk, itās far more expensive to get in Europe, I had no idea that was the case at the time, but something in my gut always made me want to stay clear of the stuff they sell in the garden centres here.
We got our red foot into a big new upgrade a good few months ago now, we need roughly 140L to fill the set up, so naturally we re purchased two 70L bulk bags from Amazon.
After seeing that comment on the forum, it peaked my concern, when I went back to the listing we used I could see theyād added āpineā in the title, which understandably made me panic.
I reached out to both the listing and the brands weāve used, I have yet to hear from the listing but hereās the brands responses
Habistat:
āHi, I canāt comment on any other brands
But all of our substrates are 100% safe for animal use š
Our orchard bark is most likely to be from fir trees, not pine trees.
but I will chase a better answer for 100% certain on tree species
But I can 100% assure you our substrates are safe for animals š
I hope that helpsā
I then asked about what kind of trees make the bark specifically, and what the largest is they stock
Follow up responses
āLet me ask tomorrow when I am in the office!
And Iāll see what I can do š
Again though our products are 100% safe and we wouldnāt dare sell them if they werenāt
Iāll be in touch as soon as I have answers šā
āHi, Sorry for the late reply!
We do stock 60L bags. However, you have to ask a local shop to order that for you š
Orchird bark is chipped from the bark of coniferous trees. Pine trees are in this family.
The potentially dangerous side of pine is the fresh needles, which can give off phenols & aromatic hydrocarbons as well as oils which become volatile when heated up, which can lead to issues.
But if baked and dried this removes that issue š
The way we prepare our bark, as well as the nature of the product, makes it completely safe for reptile use š
I hope that helps clear things up!
Please donāt hesitate to message us if you have any further questions.ā
I wasnāt entirely sure what to make of the bit about the only dangerous thing being the needles.
Iāve always recommended habistat orchid bark on here under the presumption of how reputable it is, I need to look further into the specifics of their response.
Pro rep response:
āHello, sorry for the delay.
Thank you for your message, I have looked into this for you. Our orchid bark is made from Maritime Pine trees (Pinus pinaster) Although pine is associated with being toxic; it is only certain species of pine that canāt be used.
The maritime pine is completely safe as it does not release the same toxins/toxin levels as other trees in its family. This type of pine is commonly used for most products as you have found, hence why the one you have purchased from Amazon has the wording in its title.
Rest assured our product will not be toxic or cause ant a verse reactions to your Animals.
Thanks
ProRep Teamā
All this time I do indeed think Iāve been smelling a pine smell when it first arrives now, but Iām left with questions as to whether it is indeed safe after all with how they treat it/the type they use, Iām 99.9% sure the listing weāve ordered from is the exact same stuff, thereās literally no difference in the smell, look or feel, and the smell doesnāt last long.
One thing clear to me is that most, if not all orchid bark in the uk isnāt necessarily a fir bark, but not necessarily unsafe for reptile use either, I definitely need to do more research but Iād love to hear from you lot.
Iām understandably concerned about the substrate that is currently in with her now, like I say it takes around 140L to fill, her owner really doesnāt like coir, itās very messy so I get that, forest floor isnāt sold in big enough bags or cost effective in the slightestš£
If either brands are indeed a safer choice than the listing, pro reps 70L are not cheap and habistat only goes up to 60L, meaning Iād get two and a 20L, if thatās my best bet I might go for thatš
The stuff in with her currently has no smell and doesnāt seem to have caused any issues what so ever the times weāve used it, if Iām to switch it out Iām going to wait until her owner is on holiday in just over a weeks time, just so they donāt feel bad me buying the substrate, I was the one who found the listing, so I feel responsible to correct this.
Iāve included the link to the bulk listing below, if anyone minds taking a look, Iām very interested on what you all make of this!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MS77ZDV/?tag=