Birch Sap

[Phaestos]

Hey guys,

Im really wanting to try out birch sap this year as the idea of it has been tempting me since I got into this silly bushcraft thing. But I won't be able to get out until april. Will the sap still be running then?

 

[maddave]

Yeah you should be OK Matt

 

[Niels]

Actually I doubt it. The sap will stop flowing as soon as the leaf buds open. It depends on how soon that is. This depends on your location as well.

 

[dwardo]

Actually I doubt it. The sap will stop flowing as soon as the leaf buds open. It depends on how soon that is. This depends on your location as well.

Lot of difference tree to tree within the same area too. If its getting a lot of sun (exposed) or south facing that will speed things along too.
Check it and see.

 

[Niels]

Lot of difference tree to tree within the same area too. If its getting a lot of sun (exposed) or south facing that will speed things along too.
Check it and see.

I didn't know that, thanks. I did try a local tree today, but nothing yet.

 

[Erro Telcontar]

I'm in the peak district and i tried 6 trees within a 400 metre radius and only 2 of them were flowing with sap yesterday.
As said above, it depends on your location in the country and also local geography. I have tapped a tree in sheffield, in a shaded in late march before with some success but the quantity was less than what i might expect to get in early march.

 

[Big Stu 12]

Soke about it this weekedn while at a meet and tried a couple but no Sap near Ipswich..

 

[Man of Tanith]

It aint just birch you can tap.
Maple. And hornbeam as well I believe but I haven't tried that yet. However my folks have one in their drive so I may test it this yr

 

[Phaestos]

Thanks for the replies guys. Luckily I've decided to up and get out this Sunday. Going to head to Delamere for a wee bimble and see if I cant tap a birch or two there. Wish me luck!

 

[Niels]

Wish me luck!

Ok, good luck!

 

[hog]

Fruitfull quest to Ye.

 

[thebushcrafter99]

good luck i will try a birch or two when i get home today
Cheers Ed

 

[s'étonner]

Although admittedly not as elegant as those seen elsewhere, does anyone know if this guys technique for tapping is ok to use for those of us without a drill bit?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K5Fn1UM5YM

My concerns would be closing up the cut afterwards. Also the video above shows the method used on Canadian birch trees, do these produce more sap than UK birch, meaning that a small slit is enough to get a lot of sap quickly for that guy, but not me?

Thanks.

 

[thebushcrafter99]

good luck i will try a birch or two when i get home today
Cheers Ed

tried our three biggest birches yesterday and two of them are running so will set them up with bottles and taps tonight shall try the trees in my local woodland soon as there's some pretty big ones there
Cheers Ed

 

[Elen Sentier]

With the aid of a couple of wine-making friends I hope to tap our birch tree this Sunday - will go see how her leaves are later today.

 

[Phaestos]

My idea was to get it ray mears country tracks style. Poke the tree then use a stick to guide the sap down. I was gonna place a half plasitc bottle beneath it to catch the sap, then decant that into another bottle. Is this feasible, or am I really look to do the whole drill thing?

 

[Bushwhacker]

I find putting some twigs in a mug of water is a better alternative to the birch sap experience.

 

[Niels]

My idea was to get it ray mears country tracks style. Poke the tree then use a stick to guide the sap down. I was gonna place a half plasitc bottle beneath it to catch the sap, then decant that into another bottle. Is this feasible, or am I really look to do the whole drill thing?

I tried this last year, and unless you have a really strong sap flow, it will be extremely slow. The best results I've had is by cutting a twig, hanging a bottle from the branch and leave it overnight. I think the drilling, unless you mee a really good plug, is an unnessecary risk for the health of the tree.

 

[Wanda]

went out with my little girl to tap trees this morning. we did three... although i tested dozens only a few were running. left three bottles out and plan to return in the morning. i did use a small hand drill for the trees i chose.

 

[Phaestos]

Went out today for a few hours. Tapped 5 trees and got 250 ml. Tasted gooooooddd