Home » Hobbies, Games & Toys

Maple Syrup Season

6 Comments

6 Like

Like 6

Pin It

Ranked #16,678 in Hobbies, Games & Toys, #264,551 overall

Maple Syrup In Your Backyard

Did you know you could make Maple Syrup right in your backyard? When the night temperatures dip into the 20's and the day temperatures soar into the 40's, the Maple tree sap starts running. Maple tree sap is collected through February, March and April. But do to uncertain weather conditions the dates to tap the trees are ever changing.

Maple trees are tapped and a bucket is hung to collect the sap. The sap is boiled and the water evaporates and the sweet syrup is left behind.It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. This is a neat way to involve your family. Visit a local Sugar Shack or tap a maple tree in your backyard.

Once mid-April arrives, temperatures climb above freezing at night, and the tree buds begin to swell, ushering in Spring, that another Maple Syrup season is over. But, signaling another season of Morel Mushroom Hunting!

Below are numerous resources to get you started.

Happy Spring!

Kelly Wissink

Internet Marketing Specialist

Maple syrup - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: A maple syrup production farm is called a sugarbush or the sugarwoods. Sap is boiled in a "sugar shanty", "sugar shack", "sugarhouse" or "cabane à sucre", a building which is louvered at the top to vent the steam from the boiling maple sap.
Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association & Vermont Maple Foundation: The Vermant Maple Sugar Makers' Association is the oldest known agricultural organization in the country. While the Vermont maple industry has changed over the past 100 years, its mission, to safeguard the tradition of maple sugarmaking while maintaining the highest standards possible in the product.
MMSA: Homemade Maple Syrup: By Mel Koelling, Forestry Dept.
Several species of maple trees grow in Michigan. Though all produce sap suitable for the production of maple syrup, two species of sugar maple (acer saccharum) and black maple (acer nigrum),are the source of sap for most commercial maple product.
How to Tap Maple Trees and Make Syrup: Includes information on yield, tree physiology, step by step instructions, where to go for help, additional reading, and references
Make Your Own!: The Home of the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association. Here is where you will find EVERYTHING having to do with Maple Syrup.
Howstuffworks "How do they make maple syrup?": How do they make maple syrup?

Maple Syrup Books

Maple Syrup Supplies

Making Maple Syrup in Your Own Back Yard: Most of the equipment needed for tapping trees and making maple syrup may be available in your home or purchased with minimal investment.
Making Maple Syrup - Backyard Sugaring Equipment New England Maple Candy products: Making Maple Syrup Supplies and Backyard Sugaring Equipment for Hobbyist or Beginner, maple syrup cookbooks, unique New England maple candy products from Yankee Harvest.
Christies Maple Farm ? Products: Our authentic maple making supplies are all you will need to set up your own backyard sugaring operation! Go ahead...try a bit of New England history and become the best "sugarmaker" in your family!
Tap Your Own Trees Maple Trees | How to Tap Maple Trees | How to Make Maple Syrup: Backyard Sugaring:You can Make Maple Syrup at Home! If you live in the Northeast and have a maple tree in your back yard, it can be a fun and educational family experience to tap your own maple tree and make syrup.
A Sappy Story in Kidz Korner of Michigan Department of Agriculture / MDA: The trees are ready for tapping when it warms up in the spring, usually around March 1. You can tell which trees are maples by looking at the bark. We collect sap from the trees for about 4 to 6 weeks. The trees must be at least 14 inches in diameter in order to be tapped. If we tapped smaller trees, it could hurt the tree. Besides, small trees don't produce as much sap as the bigger ones!