Wood other than driftwood?

[F.sparverius]

I've had this very hard taproot from a poplar tree laying in my room for a few months and it fits into my 5 gallon planted tank perfectly. I've heard of driftwood being used in tanks for years but its rather expensive from the LFS and the rivers around here are HIGHLY polluted and I would never dare put anything from them in a tank. Thus, the poplar ended up being used. I am aware that this wood would probably rot at some point but this would probably take some time amd would not the same happen to drift wood? My question is this, would the cut polar root cause major problems in the tank?

Below is a picture of the tank....



http://www.dansjp3page.com/hosting/burgess/planted5.jpg

The plants:
a Java Fern, Canomba, Bannana plant and some plant that you guys identified but I forgot the name of.

Fish:

2 Dwarf Gouramies and some ghost shrimp

* The brazilian sword that was originally in this tank did not fare well*



thanks!,