Tapping Maples in Cadboro Bay:
Western Bigleaf Maples are a little-known source of
maple syrup which can be accessed quite easily. With three spiles, some
food-grade tubing (from BeesnGlass in Duncan) , and three one-gallon food-safe
jugs, and U-tube instructions plus local book Bigleaf Sugaring: Tapping The
Western Maple by Gary and Katherine Backlund, I bravely set out to tap the
large old maple in my back yard.
My electric drill with a large bit dove easily into the tree, the spile
with attached tubing tapped in just as easily, and miracle of miracles the sap
started to flow. I directed it into the jug, watched it with joy for a few
minutes and then left it to drip, drip by itself.
When I returned the next morning the gallon jug was three/quarters full.
I was delighted but overwhelmed as I thought of processing a gallon a day of
sap.
Leaving the tree to drip I headed in to make syrup. The water boiled off
in a few hours and I was left with about six ounces of delicious maple syrup
which I stored in a sterilized container. My mind whirled as I thought of all
the syrup I would have in a few days.
The next morning, empty jug in hand, I visited my tree. Only a few drops
of sap graced the bottom of the container. Ever hopeful I returned day after
day but that gorgeous tree only gave me just a few drops of precious sap.
Finally I removed the spiles and tubing, declaring I would start earlier next
year.
I still don't know what happened but I do know that old tree can be a
good producer when it conditions are right: some say wait for a -2 degree
frost, some say sugar in November and December. I'm not sure why I was
successful that first day, but I am sure I'm going to try it again next winter.
Gayle Millbank's titles include:
The Adventures of Zeta Star, Books 1 & 2 (young adult science fiction)
The Lost Journals of Michelangelo
Leonardo Battles Michelangelo: Florence 1505 (a play)
A Magical Adventure in a Leaf (youth, illustrated)
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ggscreations
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