I am back and hope I am not exhausting anyone with questions. Adding all the cover I can find, and now I am second guessing whether or not to use the dead pin oak branches since reading about tannins. I see lots of Xmas trees being used, but I don’t have many of those. Mostly tulip and oaks with the occasional downed hemlock.

Should I be cutting down live trees?
Are 6”+ diameter dead wood ok? Without leaves.
Any species of tree I should avoid?

Appreciate the feedback!