Birchcrafting workshop: making use of one of our most versatile native trees
Location: Madeley, Staffordshire (CW3). The workshop will take place on private land that is not accessible to the public, therefore, the exact location will be emailed to participants after booking.
Time: 11am – 3pm
Birch is one of our most recognisable trees, with its white bark it certainly stands out from a crowd!
It is also one of our oldest native trees, and one of the most versatile when it comes to bushcrafting and foraging uses.
The leaves, wood, bark, sap, and even the fungi that grow on it have been used for thousands of years as a source of food, medicine, shelter, warmth, and to make products like firelighters, tools, wine, oil, glue, and tar.
This workshop will teach you about all aspects of the versatility of this wonderful tree. Plus you’ll get to make everything from fire and oil, to knife strops, natural first aid, and glue, as well as test out the oil as a tool maintenance product. Then you’ll get to try your hand at the Japanese art of Shou Sugi Ban and finish the product with birch oil. All while drinking birch leaf tea!
We’ll be using a birch that was felled after becoming unstable and, therefore, unsafe. All birch products used in the session will have been ethically sourced from this tree or local dead birch. During the course, we will discuss safe and ethical foraging and use of natural materials.
Places are limited to six people. Depending on the level of interest, a second workshop may be arranged.
The course will take place outdoors if the weather is dry. If wet, we have the opportunity to move indoors or under cover for some activities, but please dress for the weather on the day.
This course is open to people aged 18 years or older.