On the Harvesting of Tree Sap

The Beshenkovichi District Inspectorate of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection informs that the harvesting of tree sap is prohibited:

in populated areas;

in arboretums, botanical gardens;

in habitats of wild animals and growing areas of wild plants, classified as species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, typical and rare biotopes, transferred for protection in the prescribed manner;

within the boundaries of protection zones of immovable material historical and cultural values;

on the territory of resorts and healthcare organizations, within the boundaries of sanitary protection zones of resorts;

in places of mass recreation for the population;

in coastal strips of water bodies, within the right-of-way strips of railways and highways, and other transport communications.

Sap must be harvested in compliance with the Rules for Harvesting Tree Sap, Collecting, Harvesting (Purchasing) Wild Plants and (or) their Parts, approved by Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources dated 21.11.2016 N 37.

TECHNOLOGY FOR HARVESTING TREE SAP

The harvesting of tree sap is carried out after the start of sap flow, determined by pricking the tree trunk with an awl, from undamaged trees with a trunk diameter of 20 centimeters or more at a height of 1.3 meters from the ground level.

Holes for harvesting tree sap (hereinafter - tapping holes) are drilled with an auger. The maximum number of tapping holes is determined depending on the tree diameter at a height of 35 - 50 centimeters from the ground level (for a diameter of 20 - 26 centimeters - one hole, for a diameter of 27 - 34 centimeters - two holes, for a diameter of 35 - 40 centimeters - three holes, for a diameter over 40 centimeters - four holes).

For the flow of tree sap into sap collectors, a spout made of stainless metal is inserted into the tapping hole, with a diameter of no more than 1 centimeter and a depth of no more than 3 centimeters, excluding the bark thickness.

The process of harvesting tree sap into sap collectors is carried out using methods that ensure minimal loss of tree sap and damage to trees.

After the completion of tree sap harvesting, to ensure wood protection and prevent tree diseases, the spouts are removed, and the tapping holes are closed with a wooden plug and sealed with garden wax, garden putty, a mixture of clay with lime, or resin containing 10 - 15 percent charcoal.

In the next tree sap harvesting season, new tapping holes are located at a distance of at least 20 centimeters from the old holes.

Violation of the rules for harvesting tree sap entails administrative liability in the form of a fine of up to twenty basic units for individuals, up to one hundred basic units for individual entrepreneurs, and up to five hundred basic units for legal entities, and harvesting in prohibited areas also entails compensation for damage caused to the environment in the amount of 0.02 basic units per 1 liter of sap.