Tree sap gathering and syrup making

[wyoDreamer]

My syrup connection just tapped his trees last weekend - I am hoping he gets enough to share. I sent a dozen eggs to him this morning, lol.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

My syrup connection just tapped his trees last weekend - I am hoping he gets enough to share. I sent a dozen eggs to him this morning, lol.

Make him pancakes so he shares

 

[duluthralphie]

My syrup I made yesterday should have been the Carmel/butterscotch flavor boxelders give in the first week.

it was not it was just regular maple syrup... disappointing.

 

[wyoDreamer]

@duluthralphie Sorry your syrup was not all you hoped for. Bet it is still pretty tasty though!

 

[duluthralphie]

@duluthralphie Sorry your syrup was not all you hoped for. Bet it is still pretty tasty though!

It is great tasting, just not the butterscotch flavor. Hopefully, that is still coming.

 

[Teneniel]

Oh my gosh I just found this thread and I’m so excited!!

This is my first year tapping, but it’s a horrible year for it up here in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve had nothing but warm wet winter weather, until this week. I am going to tap some Bigleaf maples and alders. I only have access to a few trees so I’m thinking of just making a blend to use for cooking beans? Does that sound horrible or reasonable?

I’ll be doing the evap on my outdoor propane burner (it’s hardwired into the 250 gallon house tank).

that setup with the tubing and bucket is impressive! I just have milk jugs

 

[duluthralphie]

Oh my gosh I just found this thread and I’m so excited!!

This is my first year tapping, but it’s a horrible year for it up here in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve had nothing but warm wet winter weather, until this week. I am going to tap some Bigleaf maples and alders. I only have access to a few trees so I’m thinking of just making a blend to use for cooking beans? Does that sound horrible or reasonable?

I’ll be doing the evap on my outdoor propane burner (it’s hardwired into the 250 gallon house tank).

that setup with the tubing and bucket is impressive! I just have milk jugs

Do you have birch trees available?

 

[Teneniel]

Do you have birch trees available?

not near me, no. I'm in a forested rural development in some foothills of the cascades. Alder and Doug Fir/Cedar are king here. The birch trees in the area are generally cultivated.

 

[duluthralphie]

I think I read “alder” or “poplar” makes a good syrup too. But I have no idea of how much it takes and what it tastes like.

 

[Kusanar]

Anyone hear of making syrup from Elm? I have a bunch of them on my property and they are so wet that they bog down the chainsaw when you cut them down or limb them. Not unusual to have liquid shoot a foot or so from the tree if you remove a branch.

Seems like if it's any good that they certainly have plenty of sap...

And is there any reason you couldn't tap when it's warm? These things don't stop bleeding like crazy even in the middle of summer.