Harvesting and Preparation

Root harvesting takes place in the spring. A weaver knows when it is time to gather roots when the Sitka spruce trees start to show their new buds. These buds are very light green in color, and are located at the end of the branches. In the days of old, the buds were collected to make tea.

Small to medium size trees are collected from and give the best roots, about 5-12 inches in diameter trunks.

 

  

spruce tips
A traditional deer antler tool is used to dig the roots. The antler has smooth sides, which helps protect the roots delicate protective bark. The bark must stay intact during the roasting process to keep the roots from being charred. Roots with Antler
After the roots are dug, which is a lot of work, and if a weaver is lucky she has a helper - maybe her husband (aka root boy) - to help her dig. The labor intensive process of preparing the roots begins... Debbie with root


The roots are roasted over an open fire to steam the bark off the roots.


The bark is then removed with a tool called an Eena.

 Traditional Eena

Splitting the roots in a traditional way using your mouth to help the splitting run smoothly. Roots are split and scraped several several times before they are ready to weave.

  

Debbie splitting root

My teacher taught us to give thanks to the trees for allowing us to harvest from them.


I came up with my own prayer.


"Thank you spruce trees,
for giving your roots to me.
I'll make something beautiful of thee,
for all the world to see."


Giving thanks to the trees is my way of showing respect to them.

I never collect roots from the same tree year after year, but give the
tree several years to recoup before harvesting again.