Maple syrup from river maples

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I live is S.E. Kansas and we have large maples close to the Verdigres river. I want to make syrup from the sap and I have no experience in collecting or cooking off sap. If this is possible where would I get the drip things? Jim

-- Pastor Jim Raymond (greaternewlifech@terraworld.net), December 02, 2001

Answers

all maples can produce maple syrup,, the type of tree determines the amount of sugar in the sap. You can make the drip thingys from copper tubing,, 5/8 3/4,, something that size. Drill a hole the size of your "thingy" at a slight upwards angle, about 3-5 inches deep. ONly tap trees 10 inches round or larger,, and you have to wait till the spring,, when night temps are freezing,, and day times are in the 40's

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), December 02, 2001.

try this for an online manual. http://ohioline.osu.edu/b856/

-- jason (jsweeney@northnet.org), December 02, 2001.

for maple supplies http://www.leaderevaporator.com/

-- jason (jsweeney@northnet.org), December 02, 2001.

Several other trees can be tapped for syrup as well, though the Sugar maple leads production by a long shot. Birches, and (please correct this one if its wrong) sycamores and several others (poplars???) can also be tapped. And yep- all types of maples. The reason why sugar maples lead production is not because of the amount of sap they produce compared to others but the less boiling off that is necessary to yeild syrup. 32 gallons of sugar maple sap= 1 gallon of sugar syrup. Other trees require more boiling down- including other maples, sometimes as much as 50 gallon to 1 gallon ratio. Remember to plug the tree back up with a wooden peg when done tapping. Sugar maples also yeild the "best tasting" syrup. River maples are a variety i am not familiar with, here in NC, though it is most likely a variety we have here by a different name. I believe red maples are second inn syrup producinng production.

-- Kevin in NC (vantravlrs@aol.com), December 02, 2001.

Thank You, Jim

-- Pastor Jim raymond (greaternewlifech@terraworld.net), December 03, 2001.


I think a River Maple is a Box Elder. Not sure.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), December 03, 2001.

In gourmet magazine this month there was an article on shagbark hickory syrup. It only gave a place to order the syrup and said the way to make it was a secret. But that proves it can be done. I have no idea about other trees.

-- renabeth (renabeth@yahoo.com), December 03, 2001.

I know you can make syrup from birch,, have done it,, its an aquired taste though

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), December 03, 2001.

We have made maple syrup for about 40 years. So, here's my take on all of this. Any maple (and this includes box elders) can be tapped as can sycamores, birch and a host of others. The difference is the sugar content of the sap which runs 1-3 percent in sugar maples and usually much less in other types of trees. It naturally follows that higher sugar content will cook down more quickly. Maple sap cooks down between 37 and 80 to one, depending on the sugar content of that particular tree that year. Sugar content will vary from year to year in any given tree depending on the weather, mostly. Do not, I repeat, do not plug the hole after you tap. A wound in a tree, just like a wound on you, needs to heal from the inside out. If you plug the hole, the possibility remains that bacteria will be left in the tree to cause rot. The hole will close naturally within 6 weeks to 2 months and will be healed over completely by the next year. These tapholes heal so well by themselves that it is not unusual, during an unusually long season, for producers to redrill some of their tapholes. Plugging will cause more damage to the wood in the tree also because of bacteria. The characteristic maple flavor is only present in true hard or black maple trees but the other trees have a flavor of their own. Try it an enjoy it and let us know how it goes. Also, wait until spring. When the sap rises, it runs. You are catching part of the sap as it travels to the branches. Does this help?

-- Rosalie (infoonly@somwhere.com), December 03, 2001.

River maple in SE Kansas is most likely Silver maple.

-- Susan (smtroxel@socket.net), December 03, 2001.


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