Following up from "Getting Ready for Birch Tapping" I thought I'd start a thead on what seem to be, the three main main ways to extract sap from trees, and see which method seems the best for different reasons. Im checking quantities gathered and ease/type of set up.
All the three trees were the same height and crown size, all exposed to the same amount of light and growing near each other.
First the carved tap way. More time consuming, a larger hole in the tree made of 20mm, and heavy tools needed to be carried in. I used a bit and brace, but obviously a scotch auger and stong stick could be used.
Second, the plastic pipe method. Smaller hole, same tools but smaller drill bit, less reliance on natural materials, but clean pipe needed to be carried in. No big deal. I was able to rig up a 4 litre bag, so I guess this way could be set up for longer, and probablly less waste.
Third, the simple stick method. Just putting a knife into the tree, and inserting a stick. No additional tools needed, or man made materials. Very quick to set up, and less invasive.
Im going up the woods later to see how its gone and I'll pup the results up later this evening, as I set up this morning, and the rate these fellas were dripping I think the smaller billy will be over flowing if I leave it all night as well!
I'll pop up that Birch wine recipie later too.
Hope your all not fed up with this topic by now.
Addo
All the three trees were the same height and crown size, all exposed to the same amount of light and growing near each other.
First the carved tap way. More time consuming, a larger hole in the tree made of 20mm, and heavy tools needed to be carried in. I used a bit and brace, but obviously a scotch auger and stong stick could be used.
Second, the plastic pipe method. Smaller hole, same tools but smaller drill bit, less reliance on natural materials, but clean pipe needed to be carried in. No big deal. I was able to rig up a 4 litre bag, so I guess this way could be set up for longer, and probablly less waste.
Third, the simple stick method. Just putting a knife into the tree, and inserting a stick. No additional tools needed, or man made materials. Very quick to set up, and less invasive.
Im going up the woods later to see how its gone and I'll pup the results up later this evening, as I set up this morning, and the rate these fellas were dripping I think the smaller billy will be over flowing if I leave it all night as well!
I'll pop up that Birch wine recipie later too.
Hope your all not fed up with this topic by now.
Addo
