5 Ways to Eat a Pine Tree

Fishers Tree Service 317-537-9770

Fishers Tree Service 317-537-9770

Did you know that Pine trees are edible? In fact, the consumption of Pine trees dates all the way back to our ancient Native American ancestors. Everything from pine nuts to pine resin can serve a culinary or digestive purpose, and taste good too! So if you ever come across baked pine cones on a restaurant menu, you won’t be completely shocked; nor will you be turned off by the idea of ordering them! You’ll see that Pine treats are a unique and surprisingly healthy choice, as well as an experience you won’t soon forget.

Continue reading to learn 5 ways you can enjoy eating a pine tree.

Pine Nuts

Pine nuts are more common, so you may have already known about them. You may have even had them before! They are available at many health food stores, raw or roasted, but you can just pick them from your own trees yourself. Pine nuts are actually the seeds, and you can remove them from the husk and eat them raw, or enjoy them roasted. If you want to pick a lot at one time, roasting them wil increase their shelf life.

Pine Needles

Okay, so now you might be out of your comfort zone. Pine needles are spikey, after all. But don’t worry; they are not meant to be eaten. Instead, you can steep pine needles in boiling water to make a delicious and soothing tea. They are a terrific source of Vitamin C too. However, not all species are safe to eat. There are three pine trees to avoid: the Yew (Taxus), Norfolk Island Pine (Araucana heterophylla), and the Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa).

Pine Cones

As mentioned, you might find baked pine cones on a menu. But there are other ways to enjoy pine cones too. They are commonly boiled, but you can also use the springtime pollen of male pine cones (they are smaller) to create a thickening agent. This is great for broths, stews, and even flour. Just be sure to pick pine cones from the tips of branches.

Pine Resin

Do you like to chew gum? The ancient Native Americans chewed on pine resin to treat joint pain and for its antibacterial qualities. You can also steep pine resin boiling water to make tea. This has been said to settle an upset stomach and alleviate arthritis symptoms.

Inner Bark

The inner bark of a pine tree is also edible, and perhaps one of the most versatile constituents. You can boil it, bake it, roast it, or eat it raw. You can even fry it! Just be sure you don’t just cut into a live pine tree. Look for fallen branches to use instead.

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Advice for Extracting Sap From Trees

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to enjoy the benefits of free sap from your landscaping trees. Although a bit labor-intensive, sap extraction is something any homeowner can do themselves. However, you must have the right knowledge to be successful at collecting rich and delicious sap. Continue reading to learn some helpful tips on extracting sap from trees.

Fishers Tree Services 317-537-9770

Fishers Tree Services 317-537-9770

Gather Your Supplies

To get started, you will need some sap collecting equipment. You can find these items at any local home improvement store, gardening store, or nursery. You will need either a drill or an auger, some masking tape, a drill and drill bit, a piece of PVC piping that is ½ inch in diameter, a hammer or mallet, and a collection container. Instead of PVC, you can buy an actual tap or spile, just be sure it isn’t copper, which is toxic to trees. If you are using a bucket as your collection container, be sure you also have a sufficient tubing that will extend from the tree to the bucket.

Choose the Right Tree

Although all conifer trees produce sap, not all conifer trees produce good-tasting sap. For this reason, it is vital that you choose the right tree for your sap needs. The perfect trees to tap for sap include Sugar Maples, Black Maples, Red Maples, Silver Maples, and Box Elders. Birch, Sycamore, Walnut, and Hickory trees are also an option, but their sap has a much different taste because it is primarily fructose syrup, whereas Maples are primarily sucrose. Aside from species, it is important to choose a tree with a decent trunk diameter (at least 12 inches).

Tap at the Right Time

The best time to tap a tree for sap is when sap is actually present. Trees do not produce sap in the winter. Sap production generally starts in mid-February, and extends through early-March. These are the best months to tap your tree for sap. Wait until daytime temperatures are averaging around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures are averaging around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. At the start of production, sap is lighter in color and has a mellower flavor. As the season progresses, the sap takes on a darker color and richer taste.

Fishers Tree Service

Tree Service Coupon Fishers Indiana

Fishers Tree Service 317-537-9770

Call 317-537-9770 for professional and affordable tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are experienced tree care contractors who provide a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, including routine tree service, major tree work, lot clearing, and more. Call 317-537-9770 to request a free estimate for Fishers tree service, today.