When you collect your branches do you do any type of sterilization or do you not have the pesticide problems that we have here in the states? Where I live is surrounded by agriculture so pesticide/herbicide is a major concern of mine, which is why I have been hesitant to collect any branches.
when I was up in the mountains i wanted to collect branches because it was very far away from the city but all i could find was pine tree branches so i decided against it.