The bark peels off from birch trees fairly easily without harming them. More aggressive means can remove large sheets from healthy ones without killing them. Once done the uses are many. Otzi the iceman made his arrows using the tar, made by cooking it in an oxygen-free container.
Didn’t American Indians in the North use bark from birch trees to construct their canoes? They likely used the tar to help hold it together and waterproof the boat.
Interesting. Thanks, I didn't know that.