• Welcome to The Bushcraft Forum

    You are currently viewing the site as a guest and some content may not be available to you.

    Registration is quick and easy and will give you full access to the site and allow you to ask questions or make comments and join in on the conversation. If you would like to join then please Register

Birch tree tap

lee

lee

Slightly Obsessed
Messages
7,740
Points
1,230
Is anyone tapping the birch trees this year? Ive been a bit to busy to get out to see if the birch are budding yet. . .


image.jpeg
 
Not something I have ever done Lee.
have read a bit about it in the past, and may try it just to sample it.
 
Well worth a go bill, you can get a ltr in a few hours from each tree, its a very good antioxidant some even claim it has anti cancer properties. . .
 
Last edited:
I remember that ray mears episode, the method shown in that episode does work and produces huge amounts of sap fast ;) if you use that method be sure to understand that the trees fate is in your hands as the risk of killing the tree by bleeding out and infection is an issue for me, the method above can produce 1/2 ltr in a few hours. When you have finished tapping knock the cuts close, take your time when tapping and be patient sap flows after a minute or so of a cut. After experimenting with various ways of tapping I use the following method: Make a stab then another a few millimeters lower than first one and leave your knife in this second stab, sap will not only flow from the one that you leave your knife in it will also flow from the cut just above.
 
Interesting read from @HillBill there. I would have assumed that wax would have done the job over the wound but I hadn't even thought about the sap pressure causing issues.

On another note I have always been told that the birch water contains electrolytes much like an isotonic sports drink and is great for working in the forest to keep you going. I would expect this could play into prepping and survival.
 
lee said:
I remember that ray mears episode, the method shown in that episode does work and produces huge amounts of sap fast ;) if you use that method be sure to understand that the trees fate is in your hands. Personalty I would only use that method in a survival situation as the risk of killing the tree by bleeding out and infection is an issue for me, the method above can produce 1/2 ltr in a few hours. When you have finished tapping knock the cuts close, take your time when tapping and be patient sap flows after a minute or so of a cut. After experimenting with various ways of tapping I use the following method: Make a stab then another a few millimeters lower than first one and leave your knife in this second stab, sap will not only flow from the one that you leave your knife in it will also flow from the cut just above.
Click to expand...
Ray always uses a scotch auger and when he's finished tapping he hammers a tight fitting peg filling the hole completely
Having seen the damage caused to trees by storms, animals etc I don't believe one small hole would have a detrimental effect
 
I missed them this year :( it was mentioned on a health program a few weeks ago you can now buy it as 'birch water' it's the new coconut water, birch water is £10 a bottle.
 
lee said:
I missed them this year :( it was mentioned on a health program a few weeks ago you can now buy it as 'birch water' it's the new coconut water, birch water is £10 a bottle.
Click to expand...
HA! I have seen wild sorrel as the latest high culinary garnish too for silly money. Let the silly buggers pay the prices while i forage and enjoy natures fruits for free.
 
Not long guys, keep an eye out the birches can start budding anytime over the next 6 weeks or so, I missed them last year due to not keeping a regular eye on then, if you miss the bud to leaf period it's all over, you will still get a small amount of liquid but not litres :(
 
Yep from just pushing a knife in to drilling, I will be using a 13mm wood bit and inserting a tube in the hole and into bottles I'm out for a few gallons this year lol
 
Not sure I've never had it long enough :rofl: it's basically water Bill, I know people freeze it, specialist shops started selling it bottled so it must last but then again they could have been adding preservative to it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top