Tapping trees for syrup! I’ve never really considered myself to be in an area where making maple syrup was an option…. But reading an old pioneer account of syrup/sugar making in this area when it was originally settled changed my mind. No, we don’t have loads of Sugar maples like the northeast does (or any hardwood for that matter), but we do have some Box Elder trees in the creek draws at the base of the mountains. Besides, I have since done some reading, and from what I can tell tapping trees (not just maples either) was done across the U.S as it was one of the only sources of sweetner during the 1800’s. Did maple syrup just become “maple” syrup due to the abundance of them in the hardwood forests of the east? Regardless, it’s been a ton of fun trying something new and I can tell this will become an annual tradition for me!
I’m busy planting assorted trees on a newly acquired holding in Outer Hebrides. Found you via an old friends blog, Helen Hart. I’ve tapped Birch trees for sap to make wine and there are some birch here. I’ve a load of Sugar Maple seedling trees but not sure if I’ll live long enough to see them grow, or even if they will; apparently they’re not keen on wind and that’s one thing we’re never short of here.
I loved chatting with Helen! Sounds like it’s almost as windy there as it is in the Shetlands…. Good luck with the trees, hope you get a few to grow!