Birch tree sap! (tapping)

[HideandSeek]

I think a great addition of survival bushcraft is definitely making use of birch tree sap.I just wanted to give a quick lowdown which may help anyone who is looking to broaden their bushcraft knowledge if they didn't already know.

What you'll need:
1) Sharp knife
2) Small hand made pipe (Fit into slit made by knife)
3) A pot or bowl
4) A sock

Starting of in the early spring period (first weeks of march the best) is definitely the best seeing as the tree is pumping sap through to the branches which inturn helps the leafs bud, during this process tapping is perfect because the resource is endless.

Instruction:
1)Place the sock over the bowl to create a natural filter.
2)Cut in just beneath the bark (3 cm depth) at about waist height, make sure the tree starts dripping a sweet see-through substance.
3)Push the handmade ''wooden pipe'' in the slit made by the knife, make sure it's firmly in, you can do this by hitting it with the handle of the knife or the rear of the head of an axe.
4)Place the bowl or pot under the pipe.( if you have a pot lid you can balance it on the pipe so the sap doesn't get diluted if it was to rain).
5) Come back in 12-24 hours and you pot/bowl should be full.

Pros of Birch tree sap:
It contains sugars,enzymes, proteins and amino acids (building blocks of life) and has also been investigated b scientist because they believe it has a substance withing it that helps cure cancer. Lastly and most importantly YOU CAN MAKE BEER OUT OF IT.

Other uses of the birch tree:
The bark makes great tinder, the buds have anti bacterial properties thus they are used as natural antibiotic, You can squeeze fresh leaves of it in order to ease pain and infection of urinary tract.

What does it look like:
Typical white bark with horizontal cracks, which looks like this...
http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/i/Down...llogie.jpg

LASTLY:


This is my first time in giving real in depth advice so I hope it looks decent.I was taught this whilst training in the royal marines so it's a definite winner if the military use it, especially as it was on a marksmen course and lastly sorry for any written mistakes, I'm very much a hand on person.

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps,

H&S