Harvesting Birch Sap

demented dale

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Dec 16, 2021
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Its getting near the time to tap birch trees and I want to re post this. I've looked into it and the method in the video is an equally productive and less damaging method of harvesting. This is how I will be doing it this year. Please watch.
 
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Pattree

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Jul 19, 2023
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At this time of year I can be seen as a real tree hugger. I love listening to the sap running up the trees.

Birch sap wine is dangerous. A friend who was given some reported that there were two marks on his kitchen ceiling: one where the cork had hit it and one where he had hit it after taking a swig.
 

Woody girl

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Mar 31, 2018
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I've heard of this method. It may be a bit slower, I had no idea of the possible damage, being so bad. we are always told, done responsibly, it wont damage the tree, so thank you for posting this. I keep meaning to tap birch, but never get round to it... thank goodness I've hurt no trees so far!
 

demented dale

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Dec 16, 2021
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You can sterilise your cutting tool with alcohol ;-)
I read that but I also read that that method is no without its problems. From what I can gather from my research the video is good practice and I read several sources that said the yield was not significantly less than tapping the trunk. I will try the new method this year and I will post my experiences. x .
 
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Dec 10, 2015
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The technique I have used in the past. I use the tip of my knife and lift a small section of bark. Just enough to fit a small twig under it. The sap drips off the twig into a bottle tied underneath. Once I’m finished I remove the twig and push the bark back down for a few seconds. The sap sticks it back together.
 
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demented dale

Full Member
Dec 16, 2021
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hell
The technique I have used in the past. I use the tip of my knife and lift a small section of bark. Just enough to fit a small twig under it. The sap drips off the twig into a bottle tied underneath. Once I’m finished I remove the twig and push the bark back down for a few seconds. The sap sticks it back together.
Do you get a decent amount with that very interesting technique? x
 
Dec 10, 2015
417
182
South Wales
Yes. I used to fill a few bottles between a couple of trees. I think the flow rate will be similar to any other technique as it’s the only area the sap is going to be coming out.
 

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