In winter, the sap hasn't risen and the bark is stiffer and less likely to peel into separate layers after stripping it from the tree. The bark of some types of trees is edible, and bark also serves medicinal purposes. If you are considering a bigger birch bark project, consult these guidelines from the U.S. Forest Service for harvesting bark from a living tree. You may be wondering why you should consider harvesting tree bark. Harvesting of birch bark on tribal trust lands in MI is permitted for registered members of federally recognized tribes. Read on for information on the many uses for tree bark and tips on how to harvest tree bark. 2. Chaga mushroom harvesting isn’t just cutting. Uses for Tree Bark. Fall is traditionally the season for bark harvest and it may be one of my most satisfying medicine making tasks. 1. Remove only the outer bark from birch, taking care not to damage the inner bark. The Folk School Fairbanks 2300 Airport Way, Cabin 66, Fairbanks P.O. Interested tribal members can contact the Bureau of Indian Affair’s Michigan Agency forester at (906) 353-6692 to request a free-use permit to harvest birch bark. Whittled black birch bark showing pale green cambium layer where medicine is stored. It was much bigger than the others– at least 15 inches in diameter or more and 12 feet long. I had to harvest on site since there was no way to move it. Harvest from living trees only! The bark is most flexible at this time, and when harvesting cuts are made, it's said that the bark easily separates from the tree with a cracking sound. But U.S. Forest Service for Maine says a better quality bark comes from winter harvest. CRACKING. You can gently use water or a brush to get rid of the dust. Harvest Only The Outer Bark. My last tree harvest of the season, this one was a larger tree hanging out a play area in a children’s camp that my boyfriend was hired to remove. May 30, 2020 - Explore LexAnn Kienke's board "Tree Bark Crafts", followed by 1121 people on Pinterest. It requires I lean into my relationship with a tree and these relationships are different than with smaller herbaceous plants. Only harvest what you honestly intend to use and whenever possible harvest from trees slated to be cut down for other uses. But harvesting tree bark is an adult pursuit as well. See more ideas about tree bark crafts, tree bark, crafts. Learn how to sustainably harvest birch bark from an expert before you attempt to harvest bark yourself. Luckily my wonderful man propped it up on some logs so it was elevated a little bit. TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY. When you spot Chaga, ... clean the Chaga of dust and birch bark. Cleaning a valuable product is also an important part of this job. Take the and safely try to separate pieces from each other.