Episode 7: Tapping a Tree for Maple Syrup
What to tap and when?

• All maples can be tapped for sap. Sugar maples are the sweetest.
• Can also tap:
  • Birch, walnut, black and english walnut, linden, box elder, butternut, sycamore, palm and gorose. All trees’ saps have their own flavor. 
  • Maple (Sugar, Silver, Black, Red, Norway, Big Leaf)

40 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup

Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Birch (European White, Paper, Yellow, Black, Gray, River)

110 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup

Tap when daytime temperatures are 40-50F (4.4-10C)

Box Elder

60 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup

Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Black and English Walnut 

60 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup

Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Butternut

60 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup

Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Sycamore

40 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup

Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Palm

88 parts of sap yields 11 parts finished syrup

http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd11/1/dali111.htm

Can be tapped year round

Gorosoe

40 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/chugging-maple-sap-30413453/

Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/world/asia/24iht-maple.1.20393336.html

Tree Identification

Regardless of the variety of tree you are tapping, the process is the same.

• Be sure to always tap trees that measure 10” (25.4cm) in diameter or more so as not to damage the heartwood. A tree measuring this size can withstand one tap.
• A tree measuring 20” (50.8cm) can handle two taps.
• Finally, a tree measuring larger than 25” (63.5cm) in diameter may have three taps.
• Never install more than three taps per tree. When installing multiple taps, always place them at a minimum of 6 to 8” (15.24 to 20.32cm) apart from one another.

Sugar Maple Identification

• Bright orange, yellow or reddish leaves in the fall
• Smoother bark than other maples, dark almost black in color
• Can often see these trees dripping with sap from holes or cracks in the winter time
• Look for five lobes with deep indentations

Equipment for Tapping

• A power drill
• 5/16” (.8cm) drill bit
• Spiles
• Hammer
• Bucket hooks (if hanging buckets)
• Hoses (for ground buckets)
• Buckets with lids
• Harvesting storage buckets
• A large pot
• Thermometer

Equipment for Processing

• Evaporator (optional)
• Large pot for boil
• Small pot for finishing
• Thermometer
• Cheesecloth or fine strainer
• Bottling jars and sealing lids

How to Tap and Boil

• Tap when temperatures rise above freezing by day, and below freezing by night
• Locate the s