Birch Sap News

[JonathanD]

I plan to head out to check tomorrow.
I'll post up when I get back.


Jonathan
A few questions if you don't mind...

Are those bungs the standard size demijohn ones? (Assuming demijohns are a standard size)
How do you attach the hose to the waterbags?
Do the hoses fit the bungs with a friction fit or do you use an adhesive? (If so, which one?)
Where can I find waterbags? The nearest thing I know of are the camelbak type bladders and it doesn't look like you're using those.

They are standard size bungs - yes. I don't attach the hose to the bags, I just stick it in and tie the bags onto the trunk at the neck. The hoses fit the bungs nice and tight, so no worries about them coming out, no need to use an adhesive. The waterbags are just platypus bags from Blacks or Millets. The 2L ones are probably best, i'm sure that the hose can be adapted to fit the pull caps they come with, but I never felt the need to use them.

 

[BigShot]

Thanks.
One more question actually (I hope you don't mind all this badgering in a news thread!)...

Where's best to get the plug wood from?
I don't really want to get it from fallen branches in case they have fungus growing in them, can't cut it off the trees I'm tapping as they'll (presumably) just bleed out of the cut instead.

I could go and cut some live branches before the flow starts but I can't see how that'd be really much different to cutting after it starts.

Input on this one appreciated as it's the one bit I'm really not sure about at all.

 

[JonathanD]

Thanks.
One more question actually (I hope you don't mind all this badgering in a news thread!)...

Where's best to get the plug wood from?
I don't really want to get it from fallen branches in case they have fungus growing in them, can't cut it off the trees I'm tapping as they'll (presumably) just bleed out of the cut instead.

I could go and cut some live branches before the flow starts but I can't see how that'd be really much different to cutting after it starts.

Input on this one appreciated as it's the one bit I'm really not sure about at all.

I always get it from fallen trees and dry it out in front of the fire, that'll kill most bacteria. I know people who cut small saplings and use that. I always wondered whether a cork demi-jon bung would be alright to use.

 

[BigShot]

Right - if that approach works I think I know what I can do.
Cheers for your help Jonathan.

 

[Angus Og]

I was hoping to bleed four or five trees dry to see how much you could get. Well that's not to be there getting felled right now as part of a road upgrade.

 

[calibanzwei]

Bar-stewards!

 

[BigShot]

Angus - any burrs on them?
It would be a shame to see good wood go through a chipper.

 

[hiho]

just tested a local tree and that's got sap rising

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Hi i snapped a green twig of a silver birch today and a minute later sap was dripping!

I made a larger cut in a bigger tree and collected a few tablespoons worth!

The tree was in a very waterlogged area Near Norwich Norfolk.

 

[JonathanD]

Tapped a largish tree today and it is gushing out

 

[bushcraft_lad]

managed to get out and tapped a tree nest to a local beck and put a tap in so when i go back tomorrow hopefully i will have a bit of birch sap fingers crossed

regards, jordan

 

[ex Member swampy99]

done the one in my garden and it has sap running.

 

[the*warrener]

the sap is rising in llangollen, wales

this is my first time collecting birch tree sap! i have just collected approx 2 litres from one tree and it tastes almost like water. its not sweet at all, there maybe a little hint of sweetness but thats it

i was told you can make a wine from birch tree sap!! as a homebrewer, i severly doubt is as i would have to add a few kilo's of cane sugar to it.

have i done this right?? or what have i done wrong??

the tree's are on the banks of the river dee so have a plentyful supply of fresh water. could this be the problem

 

[Armleywhite]

No, it's pretty tasteless in it's natural form. Of course you'd have to add sugar to make either beer or wine from it. Seems youv'e done nowt wrong.

 

[blacksheep1]

hi,does sap collecting come from any birch, ie,silver,downy etc

 

[ocean1975]

i live in the south east and was out earlier and tried a couple of trees,as of yet no joy. Has anyone in the south east had any luck???

 

[Sisyphus]

The big birch in my garden gushed when I tested it (aberdeenshire scotland).

I agree with you The*warrener, it seems like a paltry base for a homebrew in terms of sugar content and flavour!

What else is it used for other than a safe drink when in the woods?

 

[Tye Possum]

According to Ray Mears, you can turn it into an ice cube with a mint leaf in it for a single malt or something like that...

 

[ex Member swampy99]

Im in the south east ( essex) and got about a ltr out of my tree in the garden have made it into ice cubes. My daughter does not like it as it does not taste like sunny D.

 

[Angus Og]

Angus - any burrs on them?
It would be a shame to see good wood go through a chipper.

No there was nothing good, was going to try and get some bark but it was all gone by the time I finished work in the afternoon.