Came across this video of makeing birch syrup in Alaska enjoy

[killingworthmaple]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWaSLeLpDyo

Nathan

[arcticair]

We make Birch Syrup in northern Ontario , we are on our 3 year now and enjoy it . Only problem this year year - don't think spring is gonna come LOL .

[jmayerl]

I would love to know the type of pump they use on the sap trailer that can run dry.

[arcticair]

It's the same pump as the one used in the r/o units that they are using. We use diapham pumps on our trailers. Work really well and are able to run them dry , plus they cost way less .

[Sweet Maple Trees]

does this help?

[3GoatHill]

Nice video. Did I see them plugging the tapholes?

[sirsloop]

yep... hammering in plugs... seems a little crazy

[arcticair]

Installing plugs after is not required , but the Birch sap will continue flowing for a week or so after the taps are removed and also slows the bugs from making a new home .

[3GoatHill]

Interesting about the plugs. I'm curious, are there recommendations on plugging the holes? I wonder what's better for the tree, the risk of bugs or plugging the hole?

[treeguy]

Cool! Love the way they collect

[arcticair]

The plugs help the Birch tree heal faster , remember the trees are only 10" average . The plugging is not neccasry it will only help it heal faster . I noticed some of the trees last year that we did not plug were covered with bugs ( I think beetles ) the ones we did plug were free of the bugs or few around the tap holes .

[BC Birch Tapper]

There are 2 schools of thought on plugging holes in birch. Yes and no. The yes side indicates that the tree will heal faster, yet the no side indicates that you are putting a foreign object into the tree. we no longer plug our trees and let them heal naturally. We have been on the no side for several years and see no issues with mortality on our trees.

[Cedar Eater]

I'm planning to tap birch trees for the first time this year. I've been told it's not substantially different from tapping maples except the sap has much less sugar so you have to collect and boil 2-3 times as much. I guess I'll find out.

[Sweet Maple Trees]

As you probably have noticed that video was back in 2007. The practice of corking birch trees by the East's have been stopped now that they are on the "road system" and about 60% of their taps are on tubing with 5/16" spouts now. But still running 4500-5000 buckets on 7/16" taps.

There has been some older research done on birch tap wounds and Dr. Abby Van Den Berg is doing some tap wounding on birch at PMRC now. Jury is still out on this one of to cork or not to cork?

[js4fn]

can you do yellow birch trees ? I don't have any white birch trees

[Sweet Maple Trees]

Grey, Yellow, Black and White birch trees can be used.
can you do yellow birch trees ? I don't have any white birch trees

[BC Birch Tapper]

No problem doing yellow birch. Note it flows after maple and has a very low sugar content. it varies from about 80:1 to 120:1. It sells for a premium $ but is not recommended as a pancake syrup. We use it more as a flavouring in cooking like a vanilla. Chefs love it as a little bit goes along way. we even sell to a local microbrewery.

[Cedar Eater]

No problem doing yellow birch. Note it flows after maple and has a very low sugar content. it varies from about 80:1 to 120:1. It sells for a premium $ but is not recommended as a pancake syrup. We use it more as a flavouring in cooking like a vanilla. Chefs love it as a little bit goes along way. we even sell to a local microbrewery.

I've been asked to find out if it is good for cooking meats, like a roast chicken or pork loin where the drippings will become gravy. We've cooked venison roasts with maple syrup and that goes really well.

[BC Birch Tapper]

Birch does well and actually exceeds in the cooking world. We've sold lots to chefs in swanky restaurants. A little bit goes a long way as the flavours are quite concentrated. We've also been selling to micro brewery's which is great getting a check from those folks if you know what I mean.