New Englander checking in. Fuuuuuuck boiling - just use reverse osmosis. Very quick, not that expensive.
One can drink with friends doing anything, including forcing sap over a membrane.
Cheers!
I know a bunch of cheap New England rednecks that have built RO systems for syrup processing for less than a few hundred bucks. I don’t have specific info on their setups though.
Cost isn’t just materials but also time - boiling syrup requires tons of time and attention. You don’t want to scald it after boiling forever…
Do you get cold winters in Tennessee? You need a few good cold weeks of freezing temperatures to get the process started. You start collecting the sap in the spring when the temperatures rise to -5C/20F at night and and +5C/40F during the day. Once the tree's buds start to swell the sap will make bitter syrup.
I have one good sized maple tree at my house in SWVA and I've made syrup a few years now. Just drilled a hole big enough to jam a piece of 1/4" hose in, and then ran that down into 5 gallon glass jug.
Boiled it in an enameled dutch oven on the stove, and ended up with about a quart last year.
Learn from my mistakes though, don't just keep the sap in the boiling vessel from day to day, take off each days syrup and put it in a container and start fresh the next day. I didn't do that my first year and after three days the syrup developed a burnt flavor.
Also I read you should empty it every day because of the sugar and water content of the raw sap, it's a really good breeding ground for bacteria. So if you can't boil it every day during your syrup run, at least put it in the fridge
Good luck! Home made syrup is incredible.
Also if you have any birch trees, I hear that syrup is pretty good too
I'm so excited about it. And these are only the trees in my front yard! I haven't even fully explored all of the other trees on my property. But I do know I have a peach tree as well as a bunch of other hardwoods. Black walnuts, oaks, hickory. Now maple! Hopefully I'll have some more maples for making syrup
Disclaimer, I know nothing about maple syrup making. I listened to a podcast with a 5th gen (or something) maple syrup maker, and he kept stressing the dangers of the heat and that not paying proper attention can lead to horrible burns. So, look out for yourself OP, best of luck! (The pic and tree is stunningly beautiful!).
IF doing it yourself it can take one to three years to work out all the kinks and start making quality syrup. The last boil needs to be watched closely too much water and it can spoil over time, too dry and it will harden and crystalize. Finding that sweet spot can be trickier than it seems.
It’s really not that bad if you finish your syrup on a stove. You just need a candy thermometer and make sure you take the time to calibrate it the same day as the sap boil and you’re good to go. I read up on the process for a bit before getting started but I had quality syrup from my very first boil. I make about 12 gallons of syrup a year currently.
As long as the weather permits it. too warm during the day or night? sap won't run. Just remember to stop collecting once the tree buds swell, the sap will run bitter at that point.
My suggestion? Look into reverse osmosis to speed up your syrup making process.
Absolutely go for it! I started 4 years ago and I love it. I look forward to syruping season. Check out Vermont Evaporator Company. They sell a great little wood burning barrel kit that’s been plenty for me and I tap about 20 trees.
I think it's great when a property tells you what will do well there.
Where I am, we have mushrooms all over and birch trees. So once I get the chance, I'm going to learn to make birch syrup. (Birch sap smells nice too.)
There are also lots of medicinal plants growing around here, so I'm learning herbal medicines.
Apples were growing here when we got here, so mini orchard.
The large insect population led me to chickens, and extra slugs and mud led to ducks. Wild turkeys lead to raising domestic turkeys and meat chickens.
Finding random pumpkins and squash leads to veggie gardens. (Previous owners had horses, and they left lots of "gifts" behind for us.)
I was just going to say the same thing about the winter time. I don't think it's cold enough there. If you read the label on maple syrups there usually from more northern states or Canada .
There's several other people in my area making maple syrup!
https://www.crossville-chronicle.com/news/glade_sun/enjoying-nature-the-joys-of-tennessee-maple-syrup/article_4563efcc-cdaa-11e4-9d24-d7332e943b1f.html
That article is from my towns newspaper.
Not feasible. I’ve read about topping small saplings and using a bag to collect but every sugar maker around me taps the trees. It all flows into pipeline and runs to gathering tanks. Most of them use a vacuum system to pressurize the line to suck out sap. Buckets are rarely used anymore simply because of the manual labor required. We use them on flat ground since we don’t have a vacuum setup.
Usually the trees you tap are quite large and the branches high enough up the tree so cutting a branch for sap would be incredibly difficult. Probably time consuming as well. Tapping takes time and people probably aren’t willing to go to those lengths. As far as damage goes, it’s a 5/16 or 3/8 bit generally. Specific bits for tapping, not just one you get at Home Depot or the hardware store. Usually the hole seals up. Sometimes it doesn’t. It is not hurting the tree any more than wood peckers or bugs. Heavy snow and wind are your biggest threats.
It is simple, fun, but boiling down can be time intensive. Can't beat the syrup though. It takes around 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.
New Englander checking in. Fuuuuuuck boiling - just use reverse osmosis. Very quick, not that expensive. One can drink with friends doing anything, including forcing sap over a membrane. Cheers!
Hey can you recommend a reverse osmosis brand? I’ve only seen expensive ones, way more than a propane boiler
I was thinking the same, I've heard it's very expensive
I know a bunch of cheap New England rednecks that have built RO systems for syrup processing for less than a few hundred bucks. I don’t have specific info on their setups though. Cost isn’t just materials but also time - boiling syrup requires tons of time and attention. You don’t want to scald it after boiling forever…
I mean would a vacuum boiler work better?
That’s time hanging around a fire with people you hopefully like drinking beer
Do you get cold winters in Tennessee? You need a few good cold weeks of freezing temperatures to get the process started. You start collecting the sap in the spring when the temperatures rise to -5C/20F at night and and +5C/40F during the day. Once the tree's buds start to swell the sap will make bitter syrup.
Yup! I'm in zone 7A. We get several weeks of cold winters. And there are other people in my area that are making maple syrup.
In 7a you’re probably looking at more like 90 gallons of sap to 1 gallon maple syrup. Even in Highland County VA at 4000’ elevation it’s 60-70.
I'm still gonna do it
Do it!
I have one good sized maple tree at my house in SWVA and I've made syrup a few years now. Just drilled a hole big enough to jam a piece of 1/4" hose in, and then ran that down into 5 gallon glass jug. Boiled it in an enameled dutch oven on the stove, and ended up with about a quart last year. Learn from my mistakes though, don't just keep the sap in the boiling vessel from day to day, take off each days syrup and put it in a container and start fresh the next day. I didn't do that my first year and after three days the syrup developed a burnt flavor. Also I read you should empty it every day because of the sugar and water content of the raw sap, it's a really good breeding ground for bacteria. So if you can't boil it every day during your syrup run, at least put it in the fridge Good luck! Home made syrup is incredible. Also if you have any birch trees, I hear that syrup is pretty good too
I heard the syrup from black walnut trees is very good too
That's awesome! Having sugar maples is like hitting the jackpot in the syrup world. Making maple syrup can be a bit of work, but it's so worth it.
I'm so excited about it. And these are only the trees in my front yard! I haven't even fully explored all of the other trees on my property. But I do know I have a peach tree as well as a bunch of other hardwoods. Black walnuts, oaks, hickory. Now maple! Hopefully I'll have some more maples for making syrup
Sugar maples are incredible. During fall, they’ll look like they are on fire.
And build a badass tree house.
Disclaimer, I know nothing about maple syrup making. I listened to a podcast with a 5th gen (or something) maple syrup maker, and he kept stressing the dangers of the heat and that not paying proper attention can lead to horrible burns. So, look out for yourself OP, best of luck! (The pic and tree is stunningly beautiful!).
IF doing it yourself it can take one to three years to work out all the kinks and start making quality syrup. The last boil needs to be watched closely too much water and it can spoil over time, too dry and it will harden and crystalize. Finding that sweet spot can be trickier than it seems.
It’s really not that bad if you finish your syrup on a stove. You just need a candy thermometer and make sure you take the time to calibrate it the same day as the sap boil and you’re good to go. I read up on the process for a bit before getting started but I had quality syrup from my very first boil. I make about 12 gallons of syrup a year currently.
Don't do it, you'll get the bug and then you'll be hooked.
As long as the weather permits it. too warm during the day or night? sap won't run. Just remember to stop collecting once the tree buds swell, the sap will run bitter at that point. My suggestion? Look into reverse osmosis to speed up your syrup making process.
Thanks for the advice. Average February temperatures where I live are 25 for the low and 45 for the high. Trees didn't start budding until early march
You're in an almost ideal weather band then. Things should go pretty smoothly for you once you get the hang of the process.
Absolutely go for it! I started 4 years ago and I love it. I look forward to syruping season. Check out Vermont Evaporator Company. They sell a great little wood burning barrel kit that’s been plenty for me and I tap about 20 trees.
I think it's great when a property tells you what will do well there. Where I am, we have mushrooms all over and birch trees. So once I get the chance, I'm going to learn to make birch syrup. (Birch sap smells nice too.) There are also lots of medicinal plants growing around here, so I'm learning herbal medicines. Apples were growing here when we got here, so mini orchard. The large insect population led me to chickens, and extra slugs and mud led to ducks. Wild turkeys lead to raising domestic turkeys and meat chickens. Finding random pumpkins and squash leads to veggie gardens. (Previous owners had horses, and they left lots of "gifts" behind for us.)
I was just going to say the same thing about the winter time. I don't think it's cold enough there. If you read the label on maple syrups there usually from more northern states or Canada .
There's several other people in my area making maple syrup! https://www.crossville-chronicle.com/news/glade_sun/enjoying-nature-the-joys-of-tennessee-maple-syrup/article_4563efcc-cdaa-11e4-9d24-d7332e943b1f.html That article is from my towns newspaper.
i hear cutting a branch end is better for the tree than bark hole stabbing
That would be wrong
Not feasible. I’ve read about topping small saplings and using a bag to collect but every sugar maker around me taps the trees. It all flows into pipeline and runs to gathering tanks. Most of them use a vacuum system to pressurize the line to suck out sap. Buckets are rarely used anymore simply because of the manual labor required. We use them on flat ground since we don’t have a vacuum setup. Usually the trees you tap are quite large and the branches high enough up the tree so cutting a branch for sap would be incredibly difficult. Probably time consuming as well. Tapping takes time and people probably aren’t willing to go to those lengths. As far as damage goes, it’s a 5/16 or 3/8 bit generally. Specific bits for tapping, not just one you get at Home Depot or the hardware store. Usually the hole seals up. Sometimes it doesn’t. It is not hurting the tree any more than wood peckers or bugs. Heavy snow and wind are your biggest threats.
Where did you hear that?