The demand for locally sourced agricultural products in the United States is growing, with consumers increasingly seeking unique items and willing to pay premium prices for them. Currently, birch products such as birch sap and birch syrup are primarily produced in Alaska and the Eastern United States. However, there may be an opportunity for birch tree owners in the western United States to enter this market with their own local birch products. European white birch (Betula pendula), a common landscaping tree in the cooler northern regions of Utah, presents a potential resource for this industry. Despite the prevalence of these trees, there is a lack of research on the feasibility of tapping them for sap in the Intermountain West. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the sap yield, sugar content, and mineral composition of European white birch trees in Northern Utah. In the spring of 2024, birch trees in Logan, North Logan, Hyde Park, and Smithfield, UT, were tapped using plastic sap buckets. Daily sap yields were recorded for each tree from 16 March to 11 April 2024, and sap samples were analyzed for sugar and mineral content. This preliminary research provides crucial data for assessing the viability of a birch tapping industry in Northern Utah. While further research is necessary for a comprehensive evaluation, this project lays the groundwork for understanding the potential of tapping European white birch trees in this region.
