Sugar makers are collecting the sap and boiling it down into delicious maple syrup.
Its a BIG deal here in Vermont.
As I drive around I see many big tanks in the woods that the sap flows into through a gravity system.
Most of the trees are on steep hillsides, so the sap easily flows downhill into the various collection tanks at the bottom of the hills.. Some sugar makers have the sap flowing directly into their sugar shacks to be boiled down and bottled.
Here is one of the bigger tanks in the woods:
This is the largest one I have ever seen.
Most collection tanks are 55 gallon plastic barrels.
So this hillside of maple trees must be very very productive to warrent such a large, and expensive, tank here.
Keep in mind that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
A lot of work for a sweet reward.
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I was wondering if it was too early to start tapping. We've had temps above freezing off and on all winter. Not sure how this will affect the sap run. I think I'll try putting in some taps next week just to see.
ReplyDeleteOh but such a sweet reward it is!
ReplyDeleteWe've been noticing that our neighbors have collection bottles (?) attached to their trees. I'll take a gallon (or two) of that sweet syrup! (How many gallons do you think that big tank holds?)
ReplyDelete