Would an old 2X4 that has been decomposed quite nicely be safe to use. Don't most construcion type materials have chemical treatments? Just wanted to check.

Most lumber is treated in some way. I would not use it

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Ken
" The United States Marine Corps......sure we are a department of the Navy,,,,,,we're the MENS department "

Thats what I thought. Thats a shame too, I don't know how Im gonna break the news to my dad , who was so proud of finding this peice for me

It depends on the type of lumber. The pressure treated stuff like used for decking and fences contains arsenic as well as some fencing being cedar. If in doubt don't!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Theres really no way to tell. I think Im just going to turn it into an epiphyte display, if the plants are being poisioned I should be able to tell and remove them soon enough. However a little dirty peice of wood is the least of my plants problem, they got me looking after them afterall.