How to prep manzanita?

[statler&waldorf]

I recently got some beautiful pieces of manzanita from blooms and branches, and am eager to get them in my tank! They are still a bit green though, and smell fresh, and I was wondering what I need to do before I throw them in with fish. Bake them? Boil them? Also, is it necessary to remove the bark? I really like the red color, but it seems a bit flaky, like it might come off once submerged. Thanks!

[statler&waldorf]

I'm going to try throwing them in the oven tomorrow... stop me now if this is a bad idea!

[lochaber]

I don't know if baking them will do much, except drive off moisture.

Soaking them would probably be more useful - it would help to waterlog them, and you want to try and leach out as much sap/resin as you can before putting it in with your critters.

[amphirion]

if they are living, they should sink without a problem since its a relatively dense wood. otherwise boiling will do the trick, speeds up the sinking process and allows tanins to escape