Grow Box - Builder Grade Wood

[Zako51]

Good afternoon. I have a bunch of wood from some houses being built around me. The markings on the wood suggest it was heat treated. It is all builder grade lumber from the frames of houses. Can I use this for my grow box? I probably should have asked before I built it, lol.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Yes, wood for house interiors is safe. Just avoid the treated lumber intended for exterior use only. Exterior lumber has the end grain painted with a green dye to let you know that it was treated. In the olden days, it was a copper & arsenic compound that was toxic to pretty much all life. I forget what they use now.

So, no color code, the wood is safe.

 

[Shibui]

I disagree Leo. Treated timber is fine for grow boxes. CCA does not seem to harm plant life. Although it is designed to stop fungi rot the CCA seems to be well anchored in the wood and does not even seem to affect mychorriza in the mix.
Building timber may or may not be treated. Over here, blue stained construction timber for framing has a pesticide treatment to deter termites but will rot as quickly as raw boards because the treatment does not affect fungi. Untreated pine rots in a year or 2 with all the water and fertiliser we add.
Not sure whether the timber in the pic is pine, Douglas fir or some other species your construction industry uses. Good thick boards so it should last a season or 2.

 

[sorce]

We should use hardibacker.

Next.

Sorce

 

[Dav4]

I use treated decking material for my training boxes.

 

[penumbra]

I use treated wood. I have a JWP that is been in a treated box for nearly 30 years.. I would probably be reluctant to use brand new treated wood until it had been leached but then I don't need to because I have a lot of 20 year old boards in 2 x 4 through 2 x 10.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Good afternoon. I have a bunch of wood from some houses being built around me. The markings on the wood suggest it was heat treated. It is all builder grade lumber from the frames of houses. Can I use this for my grow box? I probably should have asked before I built it, lol.

I avoid 2x4s because of the weight. Once substrate and a tree is added, look out back!

 

[penumbra]

I avoid 2x4s because of the weight. Once substrate and a tree is added, look out back!

Heavy? Yes, but they last forever. Great for larger plants.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Heavy? Yes, but they last forever. Great for larger plants.

Why would you want to keep a bonsai tree in a wood box “forever”?

 

[penumbra]

Why would you want to keep a bonsai tree in a wood box “forever”?

Kind of a silly question isn't it? A single box can be used for dozens of trees over decades.

 

[Dan92119]

I use cedar fence boards. 1x6(5/8x5.5). The 16 inch boxes are heavy with tree and bonsai soil. Something made out of 2x4 or 2x6 would be too heavy for me!

 

[substratum]

There was a debate in a Florida legislative committee two decades ago, as a bill to ban pressure treated wood on playgrounds was being heard (during the days of arsenic/copper naphthanate chemicals). During the testimony, a toxicology professor said that to be poisoned/sickened by leeching chemicals, an <30# child would have to eat about two cups of soil dug within 1 inch of the post. He did recommend wearing gloves and hand washing if one is going to handle this lumber regularly. The bill did not pass.

Is there evidence the chemicals in PT lumber will significantly inhibit root growth?

 

[WNC Bonsai]

All the PT wood I have purchased recently is treated with imidicloprid a pesticide. I think they only use the nasty stuff on wood destined for marine applications (docks, etc.). I have used it for several gro boxes with no ill effects. Your heat treated wood was probably just kiln dried for structural stability.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I have built a dozen or so boxes and always use cedar. Built this one approx 19 x 19 Saturday morning and then dug this itoigawa. Annddddddd hurt my back moving it shortly after potting it up. I have others this size but it took me by surprise combined with poor lifting mechanics....ouch...should have gone with an anderson flat!

 

[Anthony]

Try plastic bonsai pots.
You are after refinement of banchlets - not trunk thickening.

A trick from down here - simple baby oil applied to wood is
insect proof forever.
Not for Bonsai use, but in wood use for homes.

Good Day
Anthony