Tip #1. Removing the outer bark from a birch tree won't kill the tree if the removal is properly done. (Birch bark is best collected in mid-June.)

Tip #2. Get your birch bark from trees that are going to be harvested in the near future, for instance, from an industry timber sale, or perhaps at a development site.

Tip #3. Bees and basswood flowers make good honey.

Tip #4. Maple sap is good stuff but so is birch sap.

Tip #5. The inner bark of basswood is used for lashing and tying.

Tip #6. Leatherwood bark is tough and pliable.

Tip #7. Spruce root and tamarack roots can be used for lashing, tying and binding.

Tip #8. Black ash splints are made by pounding a black ash log. However, only a small percentage of black ash trees are suitable for making black ash splints.

Tip #9. When harvesting balsam boughs leave side branches to grow into boughs that can be harvested in later years.

Tip #10. Only the oldest ground pine shoots should be harvested.

Tip #11. Cut ground pine shoots instead of pulling them out of the ground.

Tip #12. Looking for good basket material? Willow shoots and red oiser dogwood shoots are proven winners. The fact is, even aspen bark can be made into various sized and shaped containers.

Tip #13. Never trespass on private land when collecting or gathering materials.

Tip #14. Birch bark can be cut into strips and woven into many shapes.

Tip #15. We always think of "balsam" when we think of holiday greenery. But tamarack branches are used to make wreaths.