Birch sap tap.

[wolf]

I saw a certain gentleman make one of these so id thought id give it a go...
just waiting for the sap to flow now..



drill a hole into the birch tree tap the pointed end in then hang your container over the notches ,the sap runs down the channel into the container.I will post it in action when the sap is up...

 

[jon r]

Nice! Im gonna make one of these. When does the sap start, Mid March?

 

[Boosh]

I'm looking forward to trying this too, as are my girls who are constantly asking when they can go and tap a tree!

Got myself a scotch eyed auger the other day off ebay for £2.50, a bargain i think by the looks of the other prices on tool sites.

I'm eager to learn the correct method for this, or should i say the correct method of repairing the tree afterwards so as not to damage it.

Is a simple carved plug enough?

Boosh.

 

[wolf]

yes it is,the wood will swell up around the hole,just saw it of close to the trunk,if you rub some mud on the end no one will know youve been there...
there are signs of the sap in some of the birch trees already here in the SE...

 

[torjusg]

Have used such many times. It works really well.

 

[leon-b]

i think im going to make one, how did you sorta hollow it out ? did you use wood with a pith ?
leon

 

[jon r]

just found this on ebay! some of you may be interested in it.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=scotch+eyed+auger+

 

[Greg]

After watching RM in "Four Seasons" I have planned on doing a tap sometime next month, only thing I wouldn't mind knowing is where on the tree would be the best place to do the tap, I was thinking about 12" from the base.

Is this right or does it need to be closer to the base?

 

[paulcd]

I've done mine 2 feet from the base in the past and its been alright with that.
About this time last year(mid-Feb), I was taken to Bristol to do some work on some trees...it was mild like now, and I refused to work on several birch as pruning them severely hurts them at this time of year (the cuts are not supposed to heal properly, andinfection may get in the cuts). I did cut a badly formed one down, and that really bled loads.
My best guess would be to get tapping now...if that produces no results, tap the week after next after the next cold spell that is due...it should really be pumping then! all guns blazing for spring!
On the healing process, cut any plugs off that you use flush with the outer bark...the sooner the tree heals over, the less chance rot will get in. Choose a vigorous, younger tree, not one over about forty years old, as this may well be on its last legs anyway (they are pioneer species, short lived). Don't choose a favourite tree ...you may kill it.
www.yellowwood.co.uk

 

[Greg]

Thanks Paul,

I was planning on next week dependant on the weather.
One more thing which might sound a bit dull but does it have to be Silver Birch or can you also do the tap on a normal Birch tree?

 

[Greg]

just found this on ebay! some of you may be interested in it.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=scotch+eyed+auger+

Sorry if you any of you guys were bidding on this but I'm afraid to say I am the proud owner!
Thanks for the info Jon.

 

[leon-b]

i am going to tap for the first time hopefully at the weekend, i take it the wood has the be dead ?
leon

 

[ScottC]

Nope living ,just remember to plug the hole afterwards and there will be no lasting damage .

 

[wolf]

i think im going to make one, how did you sorta hollow it out ? did you use wood with a pith ?
leon

i used a piece of hazel wood,i prefer a harder wood,but the wood must have a crook in it so there is a bend for the pot to hang on,otherwise the pot would be hanging diagonal so would slip off. The groove was made with a crook knife.

 

[dommyracer]

i am going to tap for the first time hopefully at the weekend, i take it the wood has the be dead ?
leon

did you mean you're going to make a tap, or you're going to tap a tree?

its a bit early for tapping birch methinks...

 

[leon-b]

i meant make a tap at the weekend, i think i will wait a bit longer untill spring sets in to use it
leon

 

[leon-b]

ive started making mine, i have split the branch in half, hollowed it out and put a little notch in it, what do i do now ? do i just sharpen the end and then its done ?
when can i test it lol
leon

 

[billycan]

Patience my young one, keep an eye on the bud size and senescence

 

[leon-b]

i read somewhere that the first two weeks of march are usually good but it changes depending on the weather
leon

 

[billycan]

yup, absolutely leon, you can never pinpoint it due to the variation in the weather each spring... but early March is a good guide.

You dont actually need to find a piece of hazel with a kink in it, a straight piece will work fine. Just make a groove down the centre with your crook/spoon knife and near the end cut a notch on each side of the groove for the loop/bale handle of your billy to sit in, to stop it sliding off