19Jan 09
Maple Syrup Time
posted by
The weather has been very cold here in Virginia. Daniel decided to start tapping the maple trees outback. We began last week. I went with Daniel and Kenan and watched them drill holes into the maple trees. We have begun with eight 
or nine trees and are hoping to tap more. A couple days ago, the temperatures were so cold (like 10 degrees all the way down to below zero) that our small pipes were frozen full of sap. The best conditions for tapping are when temperatures are below 20 degrees at night and around 36-40 degrees in the day.
We boiled down about 1 – 1 1/2 gallons of sap on our wood stove. 
When done boiling, there was about 1/3 cup of tasty maple syrup. We had to watch the sap very carefully towards the end.
I am so glad the Lord has given us maple trees for making syrup. I am looking forward to having fresh Virginia maple syrup on my pancakes.
Maple Syrup Resourcs:
How to make maple syrup and tap your own maple trees
Here is a slightly different set up
Me too Markie!
I am glad you enjoy learning practical skills. Keep applying yourself to wisdom and understanding!
Great job Markie both on the post and your help in providing syrup for a family of pancake eaters.
My that syrup was delicious! There is nothing quite as good as fresh maple syrup. I look forward to the time when the bounty of sap begins to come in!!!
Mmmmm! Sounds delicious, Markie! Just yesterday I enjoyed lots and lots of french toast covered in maple syrup. It wasn’t fresh and genuine maple syrup like yours though, so I’m sure it didn’t taste half as good. There’s nothing quite the same as fresh Virginia maple syrup!
Markie, what a sweet article! Reminds me of the Scripture verse “O taste and see that the Lord is good” Psalm 34:8a.
Sounds like you’re off to a good start! We just tapped some trees for the first time today. By the way, have you learned anything more about tapping tulip trees (“yellow poplar”)? Do you think you’ll give that a try?
…the only information I’ve been able to find on tulip tree “syrup” so far is from http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/dmna/liriodendron.html (scroll down to “pharmaceutical preparations”) and it doesn’t really sound that good.
We looked into the process of tapping tulip trees and actually attempted to tap one. We still need to learn how the sap flows (probably similar to maple) and if there are any other unique requirements like how deep to drill, when to tap, etc.
Lehmans actually sells Tulip Poplar Syrup. For some reason it is priced higher than maple syrup on their site. But I have no idea as to how it tastes
.