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Post by mjc on Mar 3, 2011 12:40:49 GMT -5
Anyone else tapping trees?
I've processed about 2.5 gallons of syrup and am working on the next gallon. I have about 18 taps out and am getting around 25 gallons of sap a day. My trees are averaging around 30 to 1 (30 gallons of sap to one gallon of syrup). Judging by the two maples in my yard (too small to tap) I've got at least another week of sap flow...the buds aren't swelling yet, let alone thinking about 'breaking'.
I'm also experimenting with black walnut and birch...both of which take a lot more sap to yield a gallon of syrup. I'm shooting for at least a quart of each. So for the BW (it averages around 100 to 1), that means about 25 gallons of sap. Birch is usually 60 or so to 1.
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Post by ottawagardener on Mar 3, 2011 15:59:02 GMT -5
Not yet but eventually. I have lots of sugar maple but also black walnut and birch. Is the black walnut syrup particularly good?
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Post by steev on Mar 3, 2011 15:59:20 GMT -5
Interesting. I've long thought that when I get a pond built, I'll put in some of the native bigleaf maples, as I've heard they're tappable. Black walnut sounds interesting; I would have guessed their syrup would be unpalatable, for no good reason, since I love the nuts.
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Post by mjc on Mar 3, 2011 19:02:37 GMT -5
Not sure about the black walnut, as this is the first year I'm trying it.
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Post by sandbar on Mar 3, 2011 23:14:15 GMT -5
What are you using to boil down the sap?
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Post by mjc on Mar 4, 2011 0:40:09 GMT -5
What are you using to boil down the sap? A large roasting pan, on a gas stove (in my 'grow room'/closed in back porch)...it holds about 5 gallons and takes quite a while (8 to 10 hrs) to process 25 gallons. I'm packing it in 1/2 gallon and quart canning jars, after filtering it at least twice. |
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Post by flowerpower on Mar 4, 2011 7:27:04 GMT -5
I'm hoping to tap maples next week. It will depend on the weather. The ratio here is 40:1. I boil it down over a wood fire outside. Deadfall is free. For what I would spend on propane, it would be cheaper to drive down the road and buy it.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Mar 4, 2011 7:31:17 GMT -5
I used to tap my trees, but the elves never answer so I don't bother anymore.
=oP
OK, so... like... that wasn't so funny... We do have maples but they aren't a type that produces a lot of good quality sap. Additionally, the ones here on our property are all fairly young so we don't bother at this point in time.
But you know what DID occur to me yesterday? I think I'll gather some sassafras leaves to dry and turn into file. I need to figure out WHEN to gather.
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Post by mjc on Mar 4, 2011 10:07:37 GMT -5
. Deadfall is free. For what I would spend on propane, it would be cheaper to drive down the road and buy it. I sort of cheat...my gas is cheaper than your deadfall...  (yeah, we've got a gas well on the property) I ended up with another gallon, yesterday...which worked out to about 22 to 1, but some of it was the left over liquid from jugs that had frozen. So, using freezing to pre-concentrate it does work/help. |
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Post by mjc on Mar 4, 2011 10:08:56 GMT -5
But you know what DID occur to me yesterday? I think I'll gather some sassafras leaves to dry and turn into file. I need to figure out WHEN to gather. Basically, when the leaves are green...but I like it best with fresh, young spring leaves. |
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Post by ottawagardener on Apr 14, 2011 9:16:09 GMT -5
Sorry for the live sized picture ;D  First bottle of maple syrup produced on my property. Pretty isn't it? |
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Post by heidihi on Apr 14, 2011 21:27:27 GMT -5
that is just flat out cruel!!!!! OMG magnificant!!!!
sooo jealous!!!!
and good for you great work!!!
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Post by ottawagardener on Apr 15, 2011 7:26:26 GMT -5
Yay, I'm pretty chuffed too.
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Post by steev on Apr 15, 2011 13:37:11 GMT -5
I once saw a beautiful jug of syrup like that a fellow had made in Oaxaca; not maple syrup, though.
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Post by mjc on Apr 15, 2011 13:56:00 GMT -5
Well, I ended up with a bit over 4 gallons. That's $265 going with Wal Mart prices on the syrup...going by 'locally produced' prices it's about $416 worth. I think I can live with that  . |
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(yeah, we've got a gas well on the property)
.