ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
I totally realize I could google or YouTube this, but if there's a forum member with expertise on tree tapping, I'd like to hear about it. I have a really big box elder that I was thinking of getting juice from.
Tapping trees for syrup
- Thread starter ChinaVoodoo
- Start date
ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
What time of year? Can you put it in weeks before the sap starts flowing or do you have to time it just right? How much do you get from one tree?
A little general info:
www.doityourself.com
I don‘t know about the advice to use a home made spout made from copper tubing. I always heard copper nails would kill a tree, but that could have been an old wives tale. I personally have no idea.
Info from the Dept. of Natural Resources:
they recommend a wooden spile (tap).
Making Syrup: Extracting Sap from a Box Elder | DoItYourself.com
Extracting sap from a box elder isn't difficult and comes with a sweet, syrupy reward.
I don‘t know about the advice to use a home made spout made from copper tubing. I always heard copper nails would kill a tree, but that could have been an old wives tale. I personally have no idea.
Info from the Dept. of Natural Resources:
they recommend a wooden spile (tap).
Started around when temp were above freezing day below at night. It has to be a sugar maple tree. It would take about a week to get a full pail. It was a plastic spout and Dad said it was cheaper to buy it. 8 pails of sap you were lucky to get a liter of syrup.
This is something like we had. Tapping2.jpg (1000×669) (d3qqlmv4he5rj8.cloudfront.net) Mom did it on the stove and the proper cloth filter
Vintage Maple Tree Tap | Etsy I thought we used plastic but this style.
27 Trees To Tap For Syrup
Walk into any gift shop in Vermont and you'll find shelves of maple syrup, alongside t-shirts that boast "I'd tap that" with a maple tree front and center. We love syrup, we love tapping, so
practicalselfreliance.com
Bob
ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
Thank you for giving this thread a personal touch, @burge . I think I'll give it a try.
Supplies:
Maple Syrup Sugaring Supplies - Lehmans.com
Make your own sweet, natural and delicious syrup at home with the maple syrup sugaring supplies available from Lehman's.
www.lehmans.com
Fun stuff for sure. Try Ontario or Quebec for supplies. To get the dark stuff you have to boil it longer. If you put something to catch steam it will crystalize maple sugar. The commercial stuff is only boiled down to get the light taste.
Amberbeth84
Well-Known Member
We actually started a few taps in our red maples this morning. We're using cheap plastic spiles, tubing, and plastic gallon jugs for the job. It's only up to 32 F (0 C) here today, but the sap's already running on a few of the trees. The rest of the week should be in the ideal temperature range for it. Hopefully we end up with a few jars of syrup for the trouble.
ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
Is there a particular side of the tree that one should tap? Why don't people put multiple taps into each tree?
Amberbeth84
Well-Known Member
We tapped mostly on the south side. It gets more sun so in theory the sap runs better. Though research suggests it's irrelevant, the district forester recommended it. You only put in one tap per trunk over 6"-8" and if it's over 10" it can take 2 spaced opposite. It's done that way to avoid stressing the tree too much so it can be tapped again the following year.
Never tried Box Elder. I’m not sure if the sugar content is high enough. If you’re going to do it you’d better get started though. This is the month to do it. Depending on the size you can run more than one tap to the tree. What you need as far as weather goes is freeze/thaw cycles in case you didn’t know. It boils down 50:1, or 50 gallon to make one gallon of syrup.
ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
So what you're saying is if I plan to kill the tree anyway, that I should put a tap in every inch all the way around.
No, you won’t kill the tree. 2-3, 1/2” holes are all you need. I talked to my dad though. He’s like me, I don’t think you’re going to like anything coming from that tree unless you know something I don’t.
Amberbeth84
Well-Known Member
No reason not to, I suppose. I had that same thought with one that we tapped. It's coming down as soon as the snow is gone to remove some shade from the new large garden. We decided to spread our taps among several trees instead.
We just use plastic tubing and have used the clear braided air hose in a pinch.A little general info:
Making Syrup: Extracting Sap from a Box Elder | DoItYourself.com
Extracting sap from a box elder isn't difficult and comes with a sweet, syrupy reward.
I don‘t know about the advice to use a home made spout made from copper tubing. I always heard copper nails would kill a tree, but that could have been an old wives tale. I personally have no idea.
Info from the Dept. of Natural Resources:
they recommend a wooden spile (tap).
It’s going to be pretty hard getting maple syrup from anything but a sugar maple. They’re tapping trees I’ve never gave a thought to.
