Any harm in drinking sap from a river birch?

atikovi · 22nd March 2010, 02:21 AM

This river birch I have in the front yard is pouring sap now that the weather has warmed up. I can put a bucket under a trunk and it will produce almost a teaspoon a minute. It's thin as water and has a woodsy taste, not sweet like maple tree sap. Is it safe to drink?

Garry Brockley · 22nd March 2010, 11:10 AM

In the uk we drink silver birch sap, it is used as a tonic as it has lots of minerals in it, tastes good too slightly woody.
your best bet is to ask a local tribe that used to live on the land they will have usually tapped that rescourse.

the big tree nut · 26th March 2010, 07:31 AM

Galbee is right, silver birch sap is very nice, a free refreshing drink when felling in the uk, but might be wise to check the surround area 1st as a tree may be safe normally but if the soil is contaminated the sap could be too,

The oldest way of testing may help 'trial and error'! as try a little, give it a day to test the effects then if ok

22nd March 2010, 02:21 AM	#1
atikovi I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1	Any harm in drinking sap from a river birch? This river birch I have in the front yard is pouring sap now that the weather has warmed up. I can put a bucket under a trunk and it will produce almost a teaspoon a minute. It's thin as water and has a woodsy taste, not sweet like maple tree sap. Is it safe to drink?

22nd March 2010, 11:10 AM	#2
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Any harm in drinking sap from a river birch? In the uk we drink silver birch sap, it is used as a tonic as it has lots of minerals in it, tastes good too slightly woody. your best bet is to ask a local tribe that used to live on the land they will have usually tapped that rescourse. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

26th March 2010, 07:31 AM	#3
the big tree nut Sappling Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK Posts: 12	Re: Any harm in drinking sap from a river birch? Galbee is right, silver birch sap is very nice, a free refreshing drink when felling in the uk, but might be wise to check the surround area 1st as a tree may be safe normally but if the soil is contaminated the sap could be too, The oldest way of testing may help 'trial and error'! as try a little, give it a day to test the effects then if ok

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