Seasons winding down here. I pulled my taps out last night. Most of them weren't running. And yesterday was ideal. I think after next week, which is forecasted to be warm, the trees will be budding.
I think I collected over 500 gallons of sap from 12 trees. Not to bad I guess for my first year.
Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without![/b]
It was pretty interesting to see how different trees produced different amounts. Probably the majority of my sap came from 3 or 4 trees. They outproduced the others by a good bit.
I used metal spiles and buckets this year mostly. Except for 3 trees where I used plastic taps and tubing. I then ran those into a 5 gallon bucket with a lid. That setup didn't look as 'old timey' as the metal buckets, but it was cleaner and more efficient. I'll be using that on all of them next year.
I had a deal with a guy where he gives me a quart of syrup for every barrel of sap I brought him. With the price of syrup starting out at between 15 and 20 dollars a quart, I didn't think that was a bad deal.
Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without![/b]
Canadian trapper
Swamptalker Extrordinaire Swamptalker of the month 9/2011, 12/11 and 2/2012
Post by Canadian trapper on Mar 8, 2012 22:00:58 GMT -5
I don't know much about making syrup. We don't have any maple tree's in this area. Is there different qualities of syrup, I seen some lighter color than others? Does it taste different from different area's? If I wanted to buy a good maple syrup what should I look for? The Canadian Trapper
Around here it can be light one year and dark the next? Some say its how long you cook it down. To me light or dark its all good. As far as what to look for? Try both. Still a spiles and bucket guy, it is ('old timey') but I think thats what ist all about. Only in it for the family ( Grand kids) and fun
lilweasel
Select Member Group Swamptalker of the month 3/09 and 2/10
Like Clamup, I go by taste. I've had syrup as cear as honey with no taste, and dark stuff that was great. I only make enough for family, but we use it for everything.
A good tree will produce 2 gallons of sap on a good day. We use between 4-5 gallons of syrup a year between our family of five. We use it on icecream, pancakes, frenchtoast, in our coffee instead of sugar and on porridge. If I had to buy it, I'm sure I wouldn't use as much.
I have not made for several years now, but some good friends do. The early syrup is usually lighter and gets darker the later it gets in the season. They do 50 gal sap to 1 gallon. We use 6 gallon a year, the wife and I. If anyone has never tried sweetening ice tea with syrup, your missing something special. Even sweeten ice water in the summer for a great refresher. I like both light and dark syrup. YUM
The difference between dreamers and achievers is action. One try is worth a thousand guesses.
Never try in tea but it was on the dinner table every meal. As said from ice cream coffee and cereal it was used instead of sugar as well. My uncle got me eating it on baked potatoe skins. Mother nature decides how well the sap season will be and how much it take per gallon. I've seen it in the low forties to well over fifty per gallon every seasons different.
Deer stories limited to 40 points or 40 minutes which ever comes first..
Pulled the taps, plugged the holes, boiled down 180 gallons of sap. Came up with 5 gallons and 1 half pint of Syrup. It was very rich this year, also very dark. But VERY GOOD. Now for all the clean-up. I see spring Beaver traps being set out very soon now.
