SUCCESS WITH RESIN SAPPING


Ever run into a situation where you need the resin from a certain tree and cant find it? I have. I also go through a lot because I use it as a binder in my incenses and I like to use the appropriate resin so as not to disalign my energies. This is how I do it:

{Don't forget to ask the tree you sap permission to do so!}

1. Ensure the tree you select will sap well. Look at where branches have fallen; are the wounds covered with dry sap? Is there sap at seemingly random points on the tree? You have a sapping tree. If you are unsure, poke a small hole in the tree and come back in a week, if there is sap there, you have a winner, if not, find a different type of tree. You may end up having to bite the bullet and buying some.

2. Once you have a sapping tree wait until the conditions are right. Perfect conditions are late February to early march. The tempiture should have been around the 40's for several days prior. Most of us may not live in a place where this will happen, or need it at another time of the year. I recommend waiting for the coldest couple of days, and begin the sapping early in the morning, at first light or earlier.

3. Look for dry sap on the tree that you can collect. If there is none, or not enough, follow steps 4-5, if there is enough "natural sap" do not follow steps 4&5.

4. "Wound" the tree , be sure to thank the tree, ensure the cut goes to the beginning of the heartwood so you know you have penetrated the sapwood. make SURE that the wound is no larger than 1"

5. Return each week until the sap covering the wound has dried, or you can collect it while wet, and let it dry. Your choice.

6. Once you have collected enough dry sap you have 2 choices: 1: grind the sap into a powder on the spot (see step 9 for details) or homogenize (make all of the sap one consistency, color, etc.) if you just grind it go to step 9. If you decide to homogenize, continue. You must homogenize to make bar resin.

7. Place all dry sap in a glass bottle (with all labeling removed). Place the bottle directly on the stove and set it to a low heat. Heat until all sap has mixed and is uniform in color and has no major chunks (small ones are usually ok). The sap should have been boiling for a while now. If making bar sap, pour into a mold/onto wax paper and let dry, you are done. For powdered resin, continue.

8. Pour resin onto a plastic bag or wax paper and allow to dry. To ensure the resin is dry, cover with COLD ice water for a while and dry COMPLETLEY.

9. To grind you will need a mortar and pestle. Ensure resin is COMPLETLEY DRY. Clean you mortar and pestle immediately prior to grinding. Ensure it is bone dry. Smash the sap lobes/bars/plates in to smaller pieces then grind as usual. A little will stick to the sides, just scrape it off with a spoon. (be sure to clean your mortar and pestle afterwards) You are done.


Special thanks for this article, created & submitted by Phillip