How to harvest birch bark without killing the tree. The strong and water resistant cardboard like bark can be easily cut bent and sewn which has made it a valuable building crafting and writing material since pre historic times. If done mindfully birch bark can be sustainably harvested without permanently damaging trees. Isaac murdoch shows how to harvest a piece of birch from start to finish always do a headcount before and after you get back. The following considerations should be taken into account when harvesting birch bark.
Bark does not have to be harvested from live trees. Birch bark was also utilized for a variety of traditional medicines eg. If you are considering a bigger birch bark project consult these guidelines from the us. Birch bark is a lovely material that can be woven folded and lashed into a great variety of projects.
Even today birch bark remains a popular type of wood for various handicrafts and arts. Removal of birch bark when done correctly does not kill or greatly harm a tree. The images in this instructable were taken by a. Removal of birch bark when done correctly does not kill or greatly harm a tree.
Because of the remarkable preservative properties of birch bark it can be harvested from dead or fallen trees. If youre foraging from a birch tree and notice fungus growing out of its bark it could be one of several beneficial fungi that thrive on birch trees. Forest service for harvesting bark from a living tree. Remove only the outer bark from birch taking care not to damage the inner bark.
The polypore fomitopsis betulina which looks like a fluffy pancake protruding from tree bark has proven in studies to be antimicrobial and even anti cancerous.