Orvis Priest 0 Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I was wondering when and how is it best to tap birch tree sap? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bullmastiff 615 Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 BIRCH SAP WINE Choose a silver birch of at least 10 ' (1/4 m) diameter at base - not downy as it gives an unpleasant sap. The best time is in early spring when the sap is rising, before the leaves open but when the drooping apex of the tree has a red-pink colour through it. The idea is to extract a gallon of sap from a hole drilled into the bark and transfer via a plastic tube to a gallon jar. A standard 1-gallon bottle (from a home wine making shop) takes a 1" cork; so take a hand drill and a 1" auger drill. Just penetrate through the bark (usually less than a 1/4' or 6 mm), put the cork in and connect the tubing to the bottle through a second cork (with a little slot to let the air out). Leave for two days and if conditions are right a gallon of sap will be found in the bottle. When collecting the bottle, fill the hole you have made in the tree with a new, complete cork, this gives the tree an easier task in repairing its bark. You can use the same tree again the following year - you haven't hurt it, but remove last year's cork and remove any insects that may be harbouring in the darkness of the hole. The sugar content is not high - about 4oz to the gallon - so another 2 1/2 lbs to the gallon will make a dry wine and 3 lbs to the gallon a sweeter one. Left dry it can taste like a German wine while, if liked sweeter, add the juice of two oranges as well as the juice of one lemon that should be added in both cases. The rest of the procedure of fermentation, racking and maturation follows normal home wine making practice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Orvis Priest 0 Posted January 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 cheers mate, one question though, will cork work or do i need a wooden plug? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bullmastiff 615 Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Either, but cork just as good and easier than trying to cut round pegs! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steviesun 0 Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 We cut funnels and plugs from other wood before when my fiance and I have tapped some of our birches. Our birch sap normally gets mixed with vodka, but plan on some birch sap wine this year. Just got to see how the weather goes in the next few weeks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Little Butch 16 Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I'm so 'ard that I rip the Tree In half with my bare Hands, tip the Tree upside down & Squeeze all the Sap out.. Butch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cornio 0 Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 Whatever you do, don't use copper pipe - you'll kill the tree. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Orvis Priest 0 Posted March 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Could you tell me the true season for tapping, cos i am not entirely sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bullmastiff 615 Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Depends what area your in, just look for the buds starting to form and you won't go far wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Orvis Priest 0 Posted March 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 ok, cheers mate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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