Saps Running

**RBB** · 04-07-2009, 05:04 PM

Starting at 4:00 AM, Jack (age 4) and grandpa (RBB) worked hard all morning. We now have 80 gallons of sap on the boil and another 150 gallons stored. Grandpa just took an afternoon nap. Now to go get another 80 gallons of sap off the back of the pickup.

**crashdive123** · 04-07-2009, 05:11 PM

Good thing Jack was along.

**Ken** · 04-07-2009, 05:25 PM

Can you post any pics?

**RunsWithDeer** · 04-07-2009, 06:33 PM

I read the thread title and thought you were talking about someone, and they were running.

Nice job on the sap, a lot of work but well worth it.

**RBB** · 04-07-2009, 07:11 PM

First syrup is "finished." Wing is making up flapjacks for supper. Great syrup. First run is always the best. My sugar bush partner says he was out and emptied buckets. He says there is another hundred gallons. Sounds like the rush is on.

**Chris** · 04-07-2009, 07:56 PM

how many gallons of sap does it take to get a gallon of syrup?

How many trees (or diameter inches if you prefer) does it take to get a gallon of sap?

I've always thought about planting a grove of sugar maples for this purpose, I just get the impression I'd need a ton of trees to make it work.

**RunsWithDeer** · 04-07-2009, 09:23 PM

Mmmmm, sounds good, you can send samples to me in Michigan for testing if you like.

**Rick** · 04-07-2009, 09:49 PM

Oops. There's a QC challenge if ever I heard one.

**Ken** · 04-07-2009, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Oops. There's a QC challenge if ever I heard one.

Yep. It's a challenge!!!

**crashdive123** · 04-07-2009, 10:28 PM

Forum QC rules must be obeyed. If you've forgotten, Ken will fill you in.

Meet the QC Enforcer Team!

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**Rick** · 04-07-2009, 10:33 PM

The QC folks have others to handle their light duty work.

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**RBB** · 04-08-2009, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Chris

how many gallons of sap does it take to get a gallon of syrup?

How many trees (or diameter inches if you prefer) does it take to get a gallon of sap?

I've always thought about planting a grove of sugar maples for this purpose, I just get the impression I'd need a ton of trees to make it work.

Common measurement is 40 to one. I usually go 60 to one, as I like thick syrup.

I don't remember what size the trees are supposed to be before you tap. I like to stick to a foot or better at the trunk (in diameter). Beyond that - it's all in the crown. A friend of mine gets as much from four trees in his yard as I do from 50 trees out in the woods. His (town) trees have huge crowns.

When the sap is running (like today) you can possibly get as much as two gallons a day from one (woods) tree. This is not the norm. Last week, the same tree gave a quart in three days. Depends on the run. Some years it never does run well. Temps have to be above freezing in the daytime and below freezing at night. The further apart the two temps are - the better the sap runs.

As to giving away samples - if you care to show up, I'll give you all the sap you can carry in your car (no trucks!). Bring your own buckets (they're at a premium this time of year). What you do to turn it into syrup or sugar is up to you.

Oh, and by the way, isn't Michigan the home of the sugar bush? My uncle's from Michigan and his sugar bush puts mine all to shame.

If you don't have sugar maple (rock maple) you can also use soft maple (actually any kind of maple will work), box elder, or birch.