Maple Syrup?

[Kodama]

Waiting for spring after the latest snow event and was checking on trees in the garage. I noticed this Acer Palmatum (bloodgood) was showing what looks like water droplets at the tips of a few branches. Is that the sugars they use for Maple syrup? Does that mean the tree is moving resouces and starting to wake to break dormancy? Very curious.

 

[Paradox]

Could be but the buds don't look like they are swelling yet from what I can tell from the pictures

 

[Dav4]

Very possible, particularly if the tree is under cover and you didn't just water it . Fwiw, maple sap can be sweet to taste though I'm not sure how sweet A. palmatum sap might be.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Is that the sugars they use for Maple syrup?

Yes and no...

You are correct that the sap is "rising" from the roots and lower trunk to push growth into the branches, and the buds.

You are incorrect to think that all trees produce sweet sap to make maple syrup. Interestingly, three species of native American maples create a high enough sucrose content to make maple sugar (2 to 5 percent sugar content in sap). They are the sugar maple, black maple, and surprisingly - the red maple (A. rubrum).

To make maple syrup you tap the trees in the early spring, collect the sap, and boil it until you concentrate the sap to 2-4% of its original volume. I've actually done this in real life... and slept in a dairy farm loft above the cows... but that is a story for another day

 

[Kodama]

Interesting and thank you for the replies. So yields only 2-4% after boildown? Wow. Sounds very labor intensive. I'll certainly appreciate those pancakes a little more. No worries..I won't try to tap the palmatum.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Interesting and thank you for the replies. So yields only 2-4% after boildown? Wow. Sounds very labor intensive. I'll certainly appreciate those pancakes a little more. No worries..I won't try to tap the palmatum.

Yes... when you collect the sap it is like water. It is clear and very... how to say... watery It certainly does not look or taste like syrup!

 

[rockm]

Yes and no...

You are correct that the sap is "rising" from the roots and lower trunk to push growth into the branches, and the buds.

You are incorrect to think that all trees produce sweet sap to make maple syrup. Interestingly, three species of native American maples create a high enough sucrose content to make maple sugar (2 to 5 percent sugar content in sap). They are the sugar maple, black maple, and surprisingly - the red maple (A. rubrum).

To make maple syrup you tap the trees in the early spring, collect the sap, and boil it until you concentrate the sap to 2-4% of its original volume. I've actually done this in real life... and slept in a dairy farm loft above the cows... but that is a story for another day

Maples are among a variety of trees that can be tapped to produce syrup. Black walnut, hickory, butternut and a few more are also possible. Maple sap does have the highest sugar content though.

FWIW, now is the time that maple camps in the southern Appalachians are tapping maples for sap. Highland county on the Va./W.Va. line is a long-time location for that activity. They have had a Maple Festival in early March for a very long time. There's a Sugar Trail map that lists camps that produce syrup. It's a fascinating place to visit, although it's very remote. Highland county is one of the least populated counties east of the Mississippi.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

FWIW, now is the time that maple camps in the southern Appalachians are tapping maples for sap.

My experience was in central/northern Wisconsin. I can't remember the exact dates except that it always felt like full on winter That's why we would sleep in the hay loft in the barn - the dairy cattle would keep it moderately warm.

 

[rockm]

My experience was in central/northern Wisconsin. I can't remember the exact dates except that it always felt like full on winter That's why we would sleep in the hay loft in the barn - the dairy cattle would keep it moderately warm.

They start maple prep over in Highland County in January. Used to hunt over there when I was a kid. It's freaking cold. Highland county is "Virginia's Switzerland"--elevation and lots of snow. Cattle are numerous, but sheep are the primary livestock.

 

[RobGA]

They are the sugar maple, black maple, and surprisingly - the red maple (A. rubrum).

We tapped our red maple a couple years in the Atlanta metro and were able to make a pint of syrup each time. Best syrup ever. Small window in this region as daytime temps have to be above freezing and night temps below. Takes quite awhile to boil and reduce to syrup.

 

[RobGA]

We tapped our red maple a couple years in the Atlanta metro and were able to make a pint of syrup each time. Best syrup ever. Small window in this region as daytime temps have to be above freezing and night temps below. Takes quite awhile to boil and reduce to syrup.

My daughter was so impressed she ordered me my own limited edition syrup container.

 

[dbonsaiw]

We tapped our red maple a couple years in the Atlanta metro and were able to make a pint of syrup each time. Best syrup ever.

Pretty cool. I've tasted the sap dripping from my JMs and let's just say I won't be putting it on pancakes any time soon.