COLLECTION AND USE OF BIRCH SAP, A LESS KNOWN NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCT IN ROMANIA.

Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) is generally recognized as a useful tree species across its wide natural distribution range. In Romania, even if the presence of this species especially in mountainous and hilly regions is quite common, little is known about the uses of its sap, a special category of non-wood forest products. The aim of this paper was to test different methodologies for sap harvesting and syrup and alcoholic beverage production. Forty mature birch trees were sampled. During two days of spring, more than 70 liters of sap were collected. Syrup and alcoholic beverage were also obtained. At a small-scale, birch syrup and alcoholic beverage production could become an important source of income for birch forest owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]