Because of the remarkable preservative properties of birch bark, it can be harvested from dead or fallen trees. For woodcrafting purposes, find someone who makes things from birch bark and ask for a demonstration on how to remove the strips you need. Or, a technique which involves removal / peeling of a ring of bark from a tree, and the phloem layer (Like shown in the picture above). That's normal. If done properly, the outer bark will begin to grow back almost black. It exfoliates the tree, which allows it to photosynthesise better Birch can do this through their bark. Removal of birch bark, when done correctly, does not kill or greatly harm a tree. 1. It is important to keep in mind that removing the inner layer of bark from any live tree can do irreversible harm to that tree. The following considerations should be taken into account when harvesting birch bark. If they are just peeling off one layer at a time and it comes off in paper like flakes then the tree should be alright. It also allows the tree to grow faster. Removing the inner layer prevents the flow of sap, which will eventually kill the tree if enough bark is removed. When peeling bark on trees is limited to the south or southwest side of the tree and bare wood is exposed, the problem may be sunscald [sic] or frost damage. Traditional harvesting by Upper Midwestern Native American artisans is in late spring and early summer. You can remove quite a lot, but only if you do it properly. When peeling bark on trees is limited to the south or southwest side of the tree and bare wood is exposed, the problem may be sunscald or frost damage. Bark does not have to be harvested from live trees. Birch Bark and Its many Uses. Birch gets away with this, because they normally grow where water is plentiful and liquid. You should always look for downed birch trees from which to harvest the bark before cutting into a live tree. It's a good idea to learn birch bark removal from an experienced person. It is understandable why people would become concerned when they see the bark peeling from the birch trees they have so lovingly cared for. All trees shed bark, just as humans shed their skin. If you did it wrong, the tree will most likely die. And it’s slow death. 2. Peeling tree bark is sometimes due to environmental factors. In both trees and humans, the outer layer is constantly replaced with new growth. In most cases, there is no cause for concern. Yes, that’s it, this kills a tree. But if they go deeper, or all the way around the tree then it will do one of two things, open the tree up to disease or insects, or in the case of all around the trunk it will "girdle" the tree and kill it. A tree which gets girdled dies gradually in about a year or more. When to Harvest . This type of shedding affects the health and lifespan of the tree, and wider areas of exposed wood make it more likely that the tree will die. If you remove the inner bark, you'll kill the tree. 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