Do it Yourself Maple Syrup Tapping
Early spring is the best time to tap trees for maple syrup. As the temperature increases, the tree sap begins to flow. The flow of sap usually lasts about three or four weeks. You can use any tree from the maple family, including sugar, red, silver, or box elder. With minimal equipment and a few trees, you can do your own maple syrup tapping. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Drill
- 3/8-inch drill bit
- Spout or spile
- Bucket with cover
- Metal wire
- Plastic jug
Instructions
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Select your maple trees. For good producers, look for trees with large crowns that reach down towards the ground. Only use trees that are at least 10 inches in diameter.
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Choose the side of the tree that gets the most sun during the day. Drill a hole about 4 1/2 feet above the ground and about 2 inches deep, with a slight, upward slant.
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Insert a spout or spile and tap into place. A spile is a tube that is used to collect the sap. It can be made of aluminum or plastic.
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Attach your bucket onto the hook of the spile. If the spile does not have a hook, make a hanger for your bucket from metal wire. Cover the bucket to keep animals, rain and debris out of the sap.
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Check your buckets daily and collect the sap in a plastic jug with a cap. You can use a plastic water jug or an empty orange juice jug.
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Store the sap in a cool place and make it into syrup right away, if possible, or within a couple of days after it was collected.
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Tips & Warnings
You can make your own spiles from 3/8-inch aluminum or PVC tubing.
Use three gallon buckets to collect sap so you don't have overflow.
If the tree is 20 to 25 inches in diameter, you can use two taps. If it is over 25 inches in diameter, you can use three taps.
Never use more than three taps in a tree. If you go onto other people's land, get permission from the landowners.
References
- Photo Credit Alexandra Grablewski/Lifesize/Getty Images
