THE COURSE IN BRIEF In this course you will learn about harvesting birch bark. In the first and last film the use of birch bark for roof covering is shown. The other six films show how the criteria for choosing the right tree and when and how you harvest. ARGUMENT Birch bark have been used as a waterproofing layer under various surface materials. Turf or different kinds of wood was common. With maintenance, the roofing can last for 70-90 years. Since the harvesting is not damaging the tree it is a sustainable building method. Most of the buildings in Sweden were covered with birch bark up until about the 1850-ies and therefore it is an important knowledge in building conservation. PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE No previous knowledge is needed. DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT In this course you can watch and learn from eight films in total. The first film is an introduction on how the birch bark is used as a waterproofing layer and the method for laying the sheets of bark and the cover with turf. The roof covering is finished in the last film. Technical solutions in the constructions and laying techniques differ throughout the country. The films in between are from a course in birch bark harvesting in the month of June in Lillhärdal in the north of Sweden. It is the outer layer of the birch bark that is used and that has to be harvested in the sap period, that differs from different regions. The films show the criteria for a good tree to harvest, which part of the stem you should choose and what to avoid. They also show the technique for cutting and how to release the outer layer of the bark. Finally the storage of the bark sheets is shown. During the middle of the 19th century, this material was gradually replaced with other materials as waterproofing layers that could be manufactured more mechanically, such as thin wood shingles and eventually roofing felt. The surface materials were also changed. COURSE DESCRIPTION: HARVESTING BIRCH BARK FOR TRADITIONAL ROOF COVERING 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND HOW TO STUDY After completing the course, you should be able to: - harvest the outer layer of birch bark for sheets that are suitable for roof covering - understand and explain how the sheets are laid on a roof and covered with turf Craft knowledge are sometimes considered as simple or not advanced. Don ́t bother about that. There are always difficult parts in all knowledge and learning. You must do things wrong or less good to learn what is the right and good way. You have to use your senses to hear, smell and for example in this course feel the resistance in the material and be aware of when you have to be more careful when you try to loosen the outer layer of the bark. Make your own discoveries while training. Always try to find the best material, tools and working methods for you.THE COURSE IN BRIEF In this course you will learn about harvesting birch bark. In the first and last film the use of birch bark for roof covering is shown. The other six films show how the criteria for choosing the right tree and when and how you harvest. ARGUMENT Birch bark have been used as a waterproofing layer under various surface materials. Turf or different kinds of wood was common. With maintenance, the roofing can last for 70-90 years. Since the harvesting is not damaging the tree it is a sustainable building method. Most of the buildings in Sweden were covered with birch bark up until about the 1850-ies and therefore it is an important knowledge in building conservation. PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE No previous knowledge is needed. DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT In this course you can watch and learn from eight films in total. The first film is an introduction on how the birch bark is used as a waterproofing layer and the method for laying the sheets of bark and the cover with turf. The roof covering is finished in the last film. Technical solutions in the constructions and laying techniques differ throughout the country. The films in between are from a course in birch bark harvesting in the month of June in Lillhärdal in the north of Sweden. It is the outer layer of the birch bark that is used and that has to be harvested in the sap period, that differs from different regions. The films show the criteria for a good tree to harvest, which part of the stem you should choose and what to avoid. They also show the technique for cutting and how to release the outer layer of the bark. Finally the storage of the bark sheets is shown. During the middle of the 19th century, this material was gradually replaced with other materials as waterproofing layers that could be manufactured more mechanically, such as thin wood shingles and eventually roofing felt. The surface materials were also changed. COURSE DESCRIPTION: HARVESTING BIRCH BARK FOR TRADITIONAL ROOF COVERING 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND HOW TO STUDY After completing the course, you should be able to: - harvest the outer layer of birch bark for sheets that are suitable for roof covering - understand and explain how the sheets are laid on a roof and covered with turf Craft knowledge are sometimes considered as simple or not advanced. Don't bother about that. There are always difficult parts in all knowledge and learning. You must do things wrong or less good to learn what is the right and good way. You have to use your senses to hear, smell and for example in this course feel the resistance in the material and be aware of when you have to be more careful when you try to loosen the outer layer of the bark. Make your own discoveries while training. Always try to find the best material, tools and working methods for you.