Is birch sap still flowing?

[Gwhtbushcraft]

I just tried tapping two birch trees and neither has produced a drop of sap. Why would this be? Has the sap stopped flowing?

 

[bushtank]

I tapped a couple yesterday and the flow was not as good as it was two weeks ago

 

[dommyracer]

Its only a short window for that fast flow, couple of weeks at most.

Look at the trees around you, if the buds have opened and the leaves are showing like they are around my way, then the sap has done its work already.

Now the tree has leaves it can start photosynthesising, doesn't need the sap anymore.

 

[Gwhtbushcraft]

Thanks for the input

 

[Biddlesby]

I tapped one a few days ago, got a cupful at a reasonable rate and stopped there. But the leaves are showing now.

 

[Greg]

It is in my local woods, I tapped a tree 2 days ago and it came out quite quickly.

My son and I enjoyed a nice half a cup each after sealing the tap.

 

[Eric_Methven]

Tapped three trees on Saturday and got 2 litres from each, and it was still pouring out when I bashed bungs in.

Eric

 

[Gwhtbushcraft]

It was a sunny day and the tree had no leaves so i would have thought the sap would be flowing.

 

[andy_bell]

No Leaves, did it have buds? are you sure it wasn't dead?

 

[Eric_Methven]

Also, it's best to tap it on the south side of the tree which will have warmed up from the sun. The sap flows best when it's warm.

Eric

 

[dommyracer]

Out of interest Eric, what are the trees around your way looking like ATM?

 

[LocalYokel]

Was up in Lancs at the weekend and got a few ltrs out of two trees... quick flowing and njice and clear. Missed the boat in Bristol as most of the trees have already broken leaf.

 

[fred gordon]

Come up to Scotland! My birches are only just starting to produce.

 

[Gwhtbushcraft]

This was in Dorset but i will try in Warwickshire and see if i get better results.

 

[rancid badger]

location-far west tyne &wear
yes definitely gushing at the moment, apx. 2litres in 1.5 hours-what method are you using?

 

[Eric_Methven]

Out of interest Eric, what are the trees around your way looking like ATM?

They're kind of big and made of wood!

 

[w00dsmoke]

Come up to Scotland! My birches are only just starting to produce.

Mine are flowing slowly on very warm hot days, some more than others but again mine are very high up where it is relatively colder. North of Glasgow.

This year I've ditched the pipe method and just carved some pegs out with notches and am using 2 litre juice bottles wired to the trunks. I'm gonna have to place noseeum netting (or clean tights ) over the tops as mine so far have ben full of bluebottles sppoiling the sap