A wooden stake of any kind is harmful and also fatal to a vampire. In order to heal the wound, it depends how old a vampire is, and therefore it would heal faster then one that isn't as old and doesn't feed on human blood then one that does. A wooden stake through the heart will permanently kill a vampire. It will cause the vampire to feel the wood going through their skin, and eventually they would die. From wooden pencils to tree branches, a wooden stake through the heart will permanently kill a vampire. Wood is the only thing that can kill a vampire except for The Old Ones. Wood originated from a specific white oak tree within the genesis of the vampire race can permanently eradicate an Old One.