Godsmacker
Rising Star
Around thanksgiving time last year, I was blessed with the opportunity to harvest some trunk bark from a friend's 19 year old Acacia Simplex tree. The total amount of bark harvested weighed ~91 grams several hours after initial harvest, and weighed ~78 grams right before undergoing a typical acid base extraction. A total of 6 pulls were taken from the basified solution, and are currently in the freezer, collecting crystals as I type myself away. Considering the unique nature and rarity of this particularly precious plant, I do not plan on doing another mini-a/b after the freeze-precip from naphtha, nor do I wish to remove any NMT from the final product; I would like this extract to be as close to the actual alkaloid content as possible, and thus do not want to change any characteristics of the initial extract, sans dangerous things such as lye and petrochemicals, which can be easily removed via a quick and simple re-crystallization (if needed). My intent is to create an extract characteristic of the entire alkaloid profile of the tree so that I and others may be able to experience the unique "spirit" of this particularly precious plant. After drying, I will snap some pictures of the extract in crude form and try to guestimate the approximate weight of it all. I also plan to infuse the extract into some caapi leaf. and possibly mint leaf as well (no extra harmalas) for ease of smoalking and transportation. I will update this thread periodically with extraction results and experience reports as my project progresses and I become more experienced with the teachings of this tree. . Any and all who have any advice or fair warning which they would like to share are free to post as they please; comments and criticisms are music to my ears.
environmental/ecological concerns regarding harvesting
(For those concerned about the fate of the tree, let it be known that 'Ethical' concerns were taken into account during harvesting. The bark was harvested around the base and thick, lower trunk regions of the tree, as I presumed this area to have the highest alkaloid concentration and minimal effects on other regions. When cutting, I only went as deep as 1-2cm into the tree and removed the bark by cutting each piece into the shape of a rectangle, which was then pried off by hand. These incisions were far and few between; they were also irregularly spaced around the tree in no particular pattern so as to prevent the possibility of ring-barking. Moist sphagnum moss was applied to the exposed white inner-flesh (Xylem?) after harvesting bark in order to minimize the possibility of future infection, and was later removed when the bark began to grow back. Two months later, the tree is still healthy, wealthy, and wise and will hopefully be ready for another harvest when Thanksgiving time comes around again.)
Selah,
-God
environmental/ecological concerns regarding harvesting
(For those concerned about the fate of the tree, let it be known that 'Ethical' concerns were taken into account during harvesting. The bark was harvested around the base and thick, lower trunk regions of the tree, as I presumed this area to have the highest alkaloid concentration and minimal effects on other regions. When cutting, I only went as deep as 1-2cm into the tree and removed the bark by cutting each piece into the shape of a rectangle, which was then pried off by hand. These incisions were far and few between; they were also irregularly spaced around the tree in no particular pattern so as to prevent the possibility of ring-barking. Moist sphagnum moss was applied to the exposed white inner-flesh (Xylem?) after harvesting bark in order to minimize the possibility of future infection, and was later removed when the bark began to grow back. Two months later, the tree is still healthy, wealthy, and wise and will hopefully be ready for another harvest when Thanksgiving time comes around again.)
Selah,
-God