OK first, yes shedding issues are all most always humidity related. What are your temps, both the hot spot and cool end, the humidity, and what instruments are you using to measure these with? Also need to know what the cage is, as in tank with screen lid or whatever else. Can't help with the shedding issues until we know the cause.
Now about heat, you only need whatever is necessary to maintain the required temps for your bp. That might just be a heat pad for a hot spot, or it might be a number of things, like setting up a ceramic heat emitter with a second thermostat.
As for the wood, I have been collecting branches from outside for many years and never had an issue doing it. And I never do anything to it unless I suspect it may have some undesirable bugs, then I might soak it for a couple days. I'm far more likely to suspect stuff coming from a pet store or another person. If it really bothers you, you can bake the wood in the oven at no more than 200° for an hour and that will kill anything on it. Make sure you OK it with the parental units first.
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