Maple Syrup season!

[MinuteManMike]

Can you "over-pull" from a tree? Or does it stop before that point for self-preservation.

It's kind of macabre, but reading this yesterday I started thinking of maple syrup as "tree blood". (Yes, I know, I have issues.)

 

[shibumiseeker]

Can you "over-pull" from a tree? Or does it stop before that point for self-preservation.

It's kind of macabre, but reading this yesterday I started thinking of maple syrup as "tree blood". (Yes, I know, I have issues.)

If you overtap you do weaken the tree making it less vigorous and more susceptible to insects and disease. That's why you don't want to make too many taps for the size of the tree. 2-3 is the most for large trees. One on a smaller (8" diameter breast height) would be too many, but sometimes I tap that tree anyway because I know I'll be taking it down eventually, or to hinder its growth over some other more valuable tree. It's not tree blood, but stored food. More like taking a few nuts the squirrel spent all Fall stashing away.

I just finished putting in all of my taps for the season. I put in 62 taps today making my total 189 taps. The hardest part was running all new lines for this expansion. But today I collected about 40 gallons of sap already. The next few days are going to be busy!

 

[decalguy]

I was just wondering what part of the state you are in if you are tapping already. I'm up in lake county, far NW corner. It's still too cold here.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I was just wondering what part of the state you are in if you are tapping already. I'm up in lake county, far NW corner. It's still too cold here.

Look at his profile. It says it right there. "Near Bedford..."

So southern, IN.

 

[spencer rifle]

Leaving work early to tap trees today.

 

[cg21]

I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing… But I have 10 taps out right now and it amazes me how much sap has came out in an hour

 

[spencer rifle]

12 taps out yesterday - 9 in 5 gallon buckets, 3 in old fashioned metal buckets. Gotta set up sap transport and outdoor stove today, since the sap is really flowing.

 

[shibumiseeker]

I’ve collected 200 gallons since Sunday afternoon. Got the RO system running full.

 

[cg21]

So.... made my first syrup today a tiny amount compared to you guys it is the best tasting syrup I have ever had. Even buying “the good stuff” can I store it at room temp?

 

[spencer rifle]

No, it will mold. Must be properly canned or kept in the fridge.

Enjoy the fruits of you labor.

 

[shibumiseeker]

So.... made my first syrup today a tiny amount compared to you guys it is the best tasting syrup I have ever had. Even buying “the good stuff” can I store it at room temp?

For a short period of time. More than a few days, store it in the fridge. If you get a little mold on it, heat it back up to near boiling, skim off the top, and you are good to go.

 

[cg21]

Thanks guys what canning procedure do you guys use to seal the jars? Will most likely can in half pints for my tiny amounts I will be getting. My trees are tiny not like the ones you guys are tapping

 

[shibumiseeker]

Thanks guys what canning procedure do you guys use to seal the jars? Will most likely can in half pints for my tiny amounts I will be getting. My trees are tiny not like the ones you guys are tapping

Pack it in mason jars with new lids at greater than 190f, or immerse the sealed jars in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes or more.

 

[bwframe]

Tried this?

 

[spencer rifle]

What's good is Sortilege Maple Whiskey. Dangerously good, but you have to get it in Canada or at the duty-free store.

 

[spencer rifle]

Pack it in mason jars with new lids at greater than 190f, or immerse the sealed jars in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes or more.

We just pack ours hot from the boiling process and leave it at that. Make extra sure the rims are clean. All of our 2020 crop sealed properly. Like you say, the few that have molded in the past are just skimmed, reboiled and repacked.

 

[shibumiseeker]

We just pack ours hot from the boiling process and leave it at that. Make extra sure the rims are clean. All of our 2020 crop sealed properly. Like you say, the few that have molded in the past are just skimmed, reboiled and repacked.

I hot pack what we keep on inventory to sell in the short term. Our longer term storage gets hot packed -and- the water bath. I found some from 2013 that were still perfect.

 

[phylodog]

I just got a 3 bucket/tap kit, is it too late to tap now?

 

[spencer rifle]

No.

 

[spencer rifle]

Sap is boiling right now, emptied two nearly full 5 gallon buckets over the last 2 days. So far two different families we know have hit us up for spare spiles and buckets.