Tree sap gathering and syrup making

[duluthralphie]

I've already done that and failed.... Yet a wild batch of bees have occupied my hive. Can't wait to see what they do.

Really?

Feral honeybees took over an empty box?

 

[rjohns39]

Really?

Feral honeybees took over an empty box?

yup

 

[R2elk]

yup

They may or may not have been feral bees. It is more likely that a neighbor had a swarm escape.

 

[duluthralphie]

That’s cool!! Either wast he gets free bees!

 

[rjohns39]

That’s cool!! Either wast he gets free bees!

Now if they'll just give me some honey.

 

[duluthralphie]

That’s cool!! Either wast he gets free bees!

I have no idea why ways became wast

 

[R2elk]

I have no idea why ways became wast

Probably the same way hearing became eating.

 

[duluthralphie]

This has really only became a problem since I got the iPhone XS.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

wondering if anyone has made box elder syrup before? just found out its a type of maple and you can make syrup from it.

so how much would it cost to set up a small syrup system? thinking of the cooking process. i can easily get buckets and taps.

also any tips would be awesome. (so far i want to try birch and box elder)

 

[duluthralphie]

wondering if anyone has made box elder syrup before? just found out its a type of maple and you can make syrup from it.

so how much would it cost to set up a small syrup system? thinking of the cooking process. i can easily get buckets and taps.

also any tips would be awesome. (so far i want to try birch and box elder)

Boxelders are an “acer”. Which is the family for all maples. I use way more boxelder than I do maple.

I like the early syrup made from boxelders better than maple it has a Carmel flavor.

It’s fairly cheap to get into. I use a barrel stove I made and schaffing dishes to evaporate in.

I am working on larger evaporator pans but they may not be done for this season. Procrastination occurred.

You can find taps online or Craigslist. I bought food grade buckets for a place that sells barrels.

I have 2- 275 gallon totes and 2-55 gallon barrels I hold sap in before I evaporate it.