Maple Syrup

R

revman

New member
I tapped two huge silver maples this year just for the fun of it (I'm not too worried about the end results, just thought I'd see how much sap I can get and then go from there). One of my maples is flowing pretty well right now...the other has nothing coming out of it. They are probably 50 yards away from each other (east to west) and about the same size. I'm also in southern MN.

Wondering if anyone else has trees with very different "personalities"!!!

Thanks,

Erik
 
S

snocrazy

Active member
Depends on sun exposure during the days.

One of my neighbors starting tapping last week. Maybe a little early. If you go to early you can dry up the tap when they really start to flow. Also low flow can introduce bacteria which can slow even more.

The guy in the are that knows what he is doing is starting tomorrow. (putting in all the taps.) Going to help him for some syrup mmmmm.
He has a lot of trees tapped with tubes running to big tanks. Pretty nice setup. Still old school outdoor wood burning cook site.
It is an every day commitment once it gets going. Some thing I don't have time for so just hopping on his bandwagon.
 
R

revman

New member
snocrazy said:
Depends on sun exposure during the days.

One of my neighbors starting tapping last week. Maybe a little early. If you go to early you can dry up the tap when they really start to flow. Also low flow can introduce bacteria which can slow even more.

The guy in the are that knows what he is doing is starting tomorrow. (putting in all the taps.) Going to help him for some syrup mmmmm.
He has a lot of trees tapped with tubes running to big tanks. Pretty nice setup. Still old school outdoor wood burning cook site.
It is an every day commitment once it gets going. Some thing I don't have time for so just hopping on his bandwagon.
Click to expand...

Good info. I just went by what the DNR says, and I heard of a couple guys in the area that had tapped already.
 
R

revman

New member
snocrazy said:
Depends on sun exposure during the days.

One of my neighbors starting tapping last week. Maybe a little early. If you go to early you can dry up the tap when they really start to flow. Also low flow can introduce bacteria which can slow even more.

The guy in the are that knows what he is doing is starting tomorrow. (putting in all the taps.) Going to help him for some syrup mmmmm.
He has a lot of trees tapped with tubes running to big tanks. Pretty nice setup. Still old school outdoor wood burning cook site.
It is an every day commitment once it gets going. Some thing I don't have time for so just hopping on his bandwagon.
Click to expand...

I went home for lunch today and thought I'd check the tree that was dry. Well, she's flowing like crazy. Had to run and get some spiles and buckets to catch it!!!
 
S

snocrazy

Active member
Was out tapping yesterday. They are flowing. (sugar maples - soft maple) Learned a lot. Pretty simple stuff.
Will post some pictures later in the week.
 
R

rp7x

Well-known member
got 40 gallons last night , started cookin today , my syrup takes a lot of beer to finish it , sleepless nights
 
R

revman

New member
chords said:
IS THIS TRUE - 40 gal sap melted down = 1 gal usable syrup ?
Click to expand...

Yep, and with my silver maples, I will get even less. Not very worried about quantity. It's fun showing my boys the process.

How long can I keep sap refrigerated? Probably won't be able to boil until Sunday...
 
B

Bradzoo

Active member
I have 8 trees flowing pretty good, I get 5+ gal a day some days more, I started boiling this morning since I work midnites this is my nite!hahaha

Bradzoo
 
R

rp7x

Well-known member
here are some pics. nice pile of pine split and ready.
 

Attachments

  • Maple 1.jpg
    Maple 1.jpg
    97.2 KB · Views: 88
  • Maple 2.jpg
    Maple 2.jpg
    97.4 KB · Views: 106
  • Maple 3.jpg
    Maple 3.jpg
    99.2 KB · Views: 90
  • Maple 4.jpg
    Maple 4.jpg
    96.5 KB · Views: 110
M

mjkaliszak

New member
The flow is effected ( generally speaking ) by many things but what is important too is the temperature or at least the varrying daytime /nighttime temps. It is best if the temps get down to 25 at night so the sap will run back down into the roots then in the day as the temperature rises the sap returns to the limbs & branches. My budd has a set up he was cooking all day yesterday .... but as earlier this week when the temps stayed semi warmer in the evenings he wasn't getting much sap.

I will share a little known secret the sap cookers & fanactical sryup fans like myself hold close to the chest.... There is the Grade A amber sryup that everyone loves this comes out ( or is produced from the 1st batches of sap ) early in the season then at the end of the season the the sap produces a darker sryup ... most buying consumers & distributors love & cherish the Grade A amber ... for it is what everyone expects...... HOWEVER.... what I prefer and is way more valuable in the " Man Kave " and possibly considered the better stuff amongst some cookers I know is the almost dirty looking sryup that is produced at the end of season. It has flavor like none I have ever tasted.... That's the BEST stuff and what some cookers anyways... keep for themselves.
 
B

Bradzoo

Active member
Started boiling another 10gal at 5am this morning after work, hopefully I will get another quart. Sap is still flowing good here.
Steve that is a nice set up you got, one of these days!

Bradzoo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top