A friend and experienced aro keeping told me that. So got rid of the ones i picked and went to look for fallen leaves. Neighbors might think i'm crazy, scavenging for leaves XDFor the leaves typically you want ones that have fallen naturally or almost fallen. The tree takes back the sugars from the leaves this is why the wither and die. Those sugars will still be in the leave and can cause fungus to grow on them in the water. Best to take fallen.
No idea on that one. Just a very common practice in gathering leaves and branches for tanks is always get fallen ones. Bark is different in so many ways. Let us know.He also told me catappa tree bark can also be used with some prep