Birch tree Sap

[Phantom]

just thought i say that Birch tree sap tastes really nice and is quite a substantial drink although be careful to drink water as well !!

also what other saps are there that are good to drink and not poisonous

_____________________

cheers

Phantom :BlueTeamE

p.s. always remember to plug the whole in the tree when you have finished so that the tree doesn't lose to much sap or get infected

 

[bushwacker bob]

MAPLE SYRUP

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

sycamore is part of the maple family!
i've heard you can drink the sap but it's not as nice as birch.

 

[jon r]

what do you mean when you say: "although be careful to drink water as well !!"

i drank birch sap and didnt drink it with water.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

prehaps it's about tannin levels?

 

[jon r]

i wasn’t criticizing i just wanted to know. sorry if i sounded like an idiot

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

don't worry,
i didn't think you were, it's a sensible question i've been bushcrafting and survivaling for years and it's the first time i've heard someone say it.

 

[PhilParry]

are you trying to say it gives you the trotsky's?!?

Phil

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

 

[jasons]

I Have Tryed Birch Sap And I Tkink It Is Over Rated. It Tastes Like Water

 

[Matt Weir]

Apparently it's got quite a high sugar content so shouldn't be used as the only means of hydration I think is the point that Phantom is trying to make.

Matt.

 

[jasons]

trust me its not as good as ray makes out

 

[leon-b]

i havent tryed it yet but will soon
is there a season it has to be got in or can you get it in any season
leon

 

[British Red]

Leon,

Best in the spring mate - the sap is really rising then. I took photos of tapping one at LS's site last spring - I can bung some up if you want?

Red

 

[leon-b]

yes please i would love to see photos
leon

 

[Dougster]

yes please i would love to see photos
leon

Try and catch Rays four seasons - the last in bushcraft series 2 - by the end of today.

I think he exagerates the taste but it's a good demo.

 

[British Red]

yes please i would love to see photos
leon

Here you go buddy (nicked it from another site where I posted it first). I've seen other people use all sorts of clever gear like rubber tubing etc. - me - I'm a simple bloke.

Well given the time of the year, we decided to tap a birch tree for spring sap....

Not too many photos but these might interest someone....

First, make your hole...ours was done with a brace and bit, however you could easily use a sharp knife tip. The hole we made was about half an inch in diameter and angled slightly upwards into the tree - this helps the sap to flow out and down.



Next take a 4" straight section of branch. Taper the end to be inserted into the tree to ensure a tight fit. Groove a deep gutter along the top with your knife tip and cut a notch towards the outer end of the gutter to stop the string falling off when you hang your collecting jar off the gutter. The gutter was tapped firmly in place with an axe poll.

Drips formed almost straight away



We used a 750ml olive jar. We tied a kite string handle around it to suspend it from the gutter.




This is the finished "rig". The drips came fast - imaging the speed of a fairly fast dripping tap. The jar was filled to the brim in less than 12 hours




Last job was to whittle a solid plug, remove the gutter and hammer the plug in with the poll of an axe to plug the tree - no harm done to the tree!

Hope that helps

 

[odin13]

great pics red, how well do you reckon it would work at this time in the year? i have a huge birch in my garden....
cheers,
Alex

 

[British Red]

Alex,

I've not tried other than in the spring - I'll pass on answering mate - anyone know?

Red

 

[spamel]

I don't think you should be tapping birch now, only in the spring. This is when the sap is really pumped through the tree as it wakes up from winter. If the tree was full of sap during winter, I'd imagine it could freeze and the tree would get damaged, so it goes to sleep! This time of year, the sap won't be as vigorous as it is during spring, so I would suggest waiting until next spring. I thought it tasted of slightly sugary water, both my daughter and I tried it lasy year, but I missed this year because I was in Iraq.