There is increased interest in collecting tree seeds by community woodland groups in Wales, to provide a small income source by selling seed, to grow-on in small nurseries for eventual sale as seedlings or transplants, or simply to plant for woodland creation or re-stocking. Knowing when, where and how to collect seeds correctly from wild trees is important – if done well it can be an enjoyable, productive woodland activity…
“We don’t generate much income from membership to cover our on-going costs of insurance etc., so as a trial, this year we organised some volunteer seed collection days to raise funds…”
Turning sap in to syrup involves concentrating the sugars in the sap by removing water. Since the fresh sap is around 1% sugar and syrup should be >60% sugar, 100 litres of sap will yield around 1 litre of syrup. This is a lot of water to boil off!
Birch is the third most common broadleaf tree in Wales. Forestry Statistics for 2019 estimate that 2,000 ha of the Welsh Government Forest Estate (NRW) and 11,000 ha of private woodland is dominated by birch. However, in Wales birch is generally considered to have little or no commercial value and is seldom actively managed.
