On the harvesting of tree sap

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

in populated areas;

in dendrological parks, botanical gardens;

in areas of habitat for wild animals and growth of wild-growing plants that are under protection in the manner prescribed by law, which are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, and in typical and rare biotopes;

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

in resort areas and healthcare organizations, within the boundaries of resort sanitary protection zones;

in places of mass public recreation;

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

Sap harvesting must be carried out in compliance with the Rules for harvesting tree sap, collecting, harvesting (purchasing) wild-growing plants and (or) their parts, approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection dated 21.11.2016 No. 37.

TECHNOLOGY OF TREE SAP HARVESTING

Harvesting of tree sap is carried out after the start of sap flow, determined by piercing 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 referred to as tapping holes) are drilled with an auger. The maximum number of tapping holes is determined based on the tree diameter at a height of 35 - 50 centimeters from the ground level (with a diameter of 20 - 26 centimeters - one hole, with a diameter of 27 - 34 centimeters - two holes, with a diameter of 35 - 40 centimeters - three holes, with a diameter of over 40 centimeters - four holes).

For the flow of tree sap into sap collectors, a trough made of stainless steel, not exceeding 1 centimeter in diameter and 3 centimeters in depth (excluding bark thickness), is inserted into the tapping hole.

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 protect the wood and prevent tree diseases, the troughs are removed, and the tapping holes are closed with a wooden plug and sealed with garden varnish, garden putty, a mixture of clay and lime, or resin containing 10-15 percent charcoal.

In the next season of tree sap harvesting, 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 base units, for an individual entrepreneur - up to one hundred base units, and for a legal entity - up to five hundred base units, and harvesting in prohibited areas entails compensation for environmental damage in the amount of 0.02 base units per 1 liter of sap.