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sort-of nfrc - are any of you experienced in maple syrup making?
- Thread starter wildwoods
- Start date
Many years ago, 1970s, when I had a coal stove I noticed that the fresh logs from my Norway maple
gave off a maple smell. Sooo-I tapped the trees-drilled a 1/2 inch hole, inserted one end of a plastic tube and the other end into gallon milk jug. Sap flowed freely and I evaporated it in a shallow pan on the wood stove. I taped the tube tightly around the milk jug to keep out ants. It did produce a sweet, faintly maple tasting syrup but of course these were not sugar maples. It takes a long time and a lot of fuel so would not be practical without a cheap source of heat. I did it for a couple of years--it was a great conversation piece. I stopped when I gave up the coal stove. It was fun though.
gave off a maple smell. Sooo-I tapped the trees-drilled a 1/2 inch hole, inserted one end of a plastic tube and the other end into gallon milk jug. Sap flowed freely and I evaporated it in a shallow pan on the wood stove. I taped the tube tightly around the milk jug to keep out ants. It did produce a sweet, faintly maple tasting syrup but of course these were not sugar maples. It takes a long time and a lot of fuel so would not be practical without a cheap source of heat. I did it for a couple of years--it was a great conversation piece. I stopped when I gave up the coal stove. It was fun though.
I assume you have real sugar maples? I would recommend covered pails.
or jugs as things fall into open pails and while you can strain them out you'd probably want to avoid the local wildlife. You can make more than one hole in each tree depending on how big they are. Are you in New England too? I'm in Cape Cod, MA. Have fun!!
or jugs as things fall into open pails and while you can strain them out you'd probably want to avoid the local wildlife. You can make more than one hole in each tree depending on how big they are. Are you in New England too? I'm in Cape Cod, MA. Have fun!!
yes, lots of sugar maple. we've read that 3 trees should provide us with enough sap
to get started - we're just making it for ourselves and a few gifts if it turns out - so we'll select some trees near the house. we've also heard lids are a good idea and plan on using them. we'd welcome any other advice you have! oh, we're in sw ontario. thanks aajay.
to get started - we're just making it for ourselves and a few gifts if it turns out - so we'll select some trees near the house. we've also heard lids are a good idea and plan on using them. we'd welcome any other advice you have! oh, we're in sw ontario. thanks aajay.