Factors Affecting on Sap Flows of Birch Trees, Betula platyphylla as a Healthy Beverages

건강음료로서의 자작나무 수액의 유출량에 미치는 영향인자

Lately public interest in tree saps of maple and birch trees stimulated to increase demands for sap drink as a natural medical beverage. In order to understand factors affecting tree sap flows, birch species, particularly Betula platyphylla in Mt.Sobaek area, were monitored for daily sap flows according to factors, such as DBH, tapping hole sizes and direction of hole drilling on the trunks. The chemical constituents of saps were also analyzed. The sap flow initiated from the end of March and finished at the end of April. The flow maxima appeared from April 14th to April 26th. Total amounts of the sap flow obtained from birch tree were over 1,800 ml per day per one tree. Sap flows were increased with increasing DBH and tree age. Six milimeter drilled hole resulted in the highest sap flows. Sap flows increased with increases of diameter and height of the trees. Hole drilling to downward side(south-facing) of tree produced almost doubled sap flows than that of upward one(north-facing), while rightside drilling produced same amounts of saps to that of leftside one. Six mm drilling gave the best results not only in maximum flows but also effective hole occluding rates. The saps have in the range of 4.5 to 5.6 pH and l.0 - 2.0% of saccharinity. Sucrose, glucose, fructose and high mineral contents were found in the saps of birch tree. The tree saps could be utilized not only medicinal drink, but also one of the healthy beverages.