How To Make Maple Syrup.

[Bettacreek]

If you boil it inside, do you get sappy crap everywhere, or is it just condensation of the water? We have a woodstove and everything gets so darned dry in here, if it's just water, I'd LOVE to boil it inside!

 

[Damummis]

It starts off as condensation and as it cooks down the condensation gets sticky. I have boiled it all inside, with fans going to move the steam around but always wind up wiping down the whole kitchen.

 

[SKR8PN]

I am pretty good at spotting Maples just by the bark, but it is very difficult to explain to someone. You really need to just walk the woods, identify the trees by the leaves, and study the bark, because it can and will vary quite a bit with the age of the tree. I did not know you could tap other species of trees. I wonder if walnut, or other woods for that matter, would change the flavor of the finished syrup very much?? I know different woods have a very distinct flavor when you cook with them, like when your smoking meats or cheeses.

 

[Farmfresh]

I don't know about the sap, but walnut in particular has a toxin in it that can cause animals to become ill when bedded on the shavings. The toxin can actually be absorbed through the feet!

I would be SURE I knew what kind of tree it is I am tapping. Why not mark them in some way in the spring for next year? They tie yellow ribbons around the "old oak tree".

 

[SKR8PN]

My buddy that I help out on his farm SWEARS he is going to go out every summer and mark the Maples, but other stuff ALWAYS gets in the way. Like making hay, planting or harvesting the crops, etc. This year I think I will just take a day and go do it for him.
He will either love me or HATE me.....

 

[SKR8PN]

On the subject of tapping other species.........

http://www.theheartofnewengland.com/LifeInNewEngland-Birch-Trees-Tapping.html

http://forestry.com/blog/how-to-tap-maple-trees-for-sap/

 

[Farmfresh]

My buddy that I help out on his farm SWEARS he is going to go out every summer and mark the Maples, but other stuff ALWAYS gets in the way. Like making hay, planting or harvesting the crops, etc. This year I think I will just take a day and go do it for him.
He will either love me or HATE me.....

Just depends on HOW you mark them I suppose.

A few years ago there was talk of folks trying to turn our neighborhood into a historic district - complete with all of the HOA type rules and regulations. We would even have to clear the COLOR of our house paint with the historic district!!! Hubby who is usually quite compliant with most rules made the quiet statement at the meeting. "Well they may be able to control what color my house is, but they are NOT telling me what color I can paint my TREES!!" So far the district has failed.

 

[Damummis]

Here it is kind of easy. The white trees are Birch, Pine and Spruce pretty obvious, everything else...........Maple.