Read here why drying tree bark makes sense on certain occasions. The best tips explain tried and tested drying methods. How to dry tree bark properly.
How to dry tree bark?
You can dry tree bark in theovenat 40° to 50° Celsius and in themicrowaveat 600 watts. During these drying processes, the bark is preserved and sterilized. You can use tree bark for external use in herbal medicineair drying
Why should you dry tree bark?
The most common reason for drying tree bark is to preserve it for subsequent use asHerbal medicineorNatural food.
The bark of various local trees is rich in he althy ingredients that have a pain-relieving and fever-reducing effect. For example, willow bark contains salicin, which the body converts into salicylic acid, the well-known active ingredient in aspirin. Tree bark has been known as a rich food since the Middle Ages. Today, survival experts know that you can eat tree bark. Dried bark is ground into flour to make bark bread.
What drying processes are there for tree bark?
The quickest way to dry tree bark is in theovenand in themicrowave. Both drying processes have the advantage that the bark is preserved and sterilized.
If time plays a secondary role, you can use energy-saving methods to save barkair drying When air drying, it is important to remember that the bark is not reliably sterilized. Therefore, this variant can only be considered for external applications of tree bark in herbal medicine.
How do you dry tree bark correctly?
Professional drying of tree bark is the optimal combination ofdegree of heatandtime factor. On the one hand, the bark should dry without burning. On the other hand, no germs or pathogens are allowed to survive in the bark tissue. How to do it right:
- Oven: preheat to 40° to 55° Celsius, dry the tree bark on a baking tray (clip the wooden spoon into the oven door).
- Microwave: Dry tree bark in the microwave at 600 watts (check the degree of dryness every 120 seconds).
- Air drying: Cut tree bark into strips and dry on a rack in a warm, airy location for a few days.
Tip
Preserving moist tree bark for crafting
Did you know that moist bark can be excellently preserved? That's why you shouldn't dry tree bark for crafts. Premium quality preservation has been copied from experienced wood turners and is achieved with Pentacryl. Ideally, the tree bark is placed in the greenwood stabilizer for optimal saturation. After drying, the tree bark is permanently preserved and can be easily glued, painted or fixed.
