It’s as though our yard knew just what we’d need before we ever moved in. Space for a garden. Two black maple trees to tap. And a big ole fireplace for boiling down the sap.
Backyard Maple Syrup
Sugar maples have the most sugar content, and our black maples come in second. But any maple will do. Or black walnut or birch, for that matter.
I love how easy and straightforward this whole process has been. We’ve been able to scrounge most of what we’ve needed, and we were gifted the buckets and spiles this past Christmas. This is only our second time tapping and the first time we pretty much scrounged it all.
With only 2 trees to tap, if we had to, we could probably boil it all down inside as long as we opened a window or two to let steam escape. But since we have the fireplace, and plenty of wood, we’re enjoying being outdoors this time of year.
We store the sap in buckets on the north side of the house to keep them out of the sun, pack them in snow to keep them cold, and boil once a week. And it’s nice, because we keep the neighbors entertained.
If we didn’t have the fireplace? Well, I’d beg, borrow or steal a turkey fryer to boil the sap, just like Meredith at Imaginacres does.
Our boiling pan is a stainless steel planter that they were getting rid of where Mike works. Steam table pans would work nicely as well. Or even a few big old pots. My mom was raised during the Depression and if there’s one thing she taught me, it’s to use what ‘cha got.
The weather has been pretty much perfect for the sap to run. Nighttime temperatures below freezing and daytime temperatures in the 40s (F). Perfect temps for hanging out in the backyard, too. And hey, while the fire’s roaring, perfect for roasting a hotdog as well. Yep, a grass-fed, organic one.
Once the sap begins to turn an amber color, I move it into a pot and finish it in the house. Just easier for me to control that way.
Have a maple tree or two? Hope you give it a try, ’cause backyard maple sugaring is fun!
For more details on making maple syrup on a small scale, check out these posts:
Homemade Maple Walnut Topping Recipe
Making Syrup in Your Own Backyard
Making Maple Syrup in the City
Beyond Maple Syrup: Tapping Black Walnut Trees
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Amber says
We’ve tapped our silver maple for the first time this year and have several gallons of sap already. Since we don’t have an outdoor fire pit, we’ll be trying a freezing concentration method that the Eskimos used to get drinking water from sea water. I hope it works!
Susan Vinskofski says
I’d like to hear more about how that works, Amber.
Heike says
I have 2 huge River Birches in my front yard, can they be tapped too?
Susan Vinskofski says
I’ve never tapped a birch, Heike, but from everything I’ve read, yes, the river birch can be tapped for syrup. I’m told that it’s not quite as sweet as maple syrup.
easypeasy says
That is so cool! Now I want a maple tree! 🙂
Al says
Great Read Susan. We had a Sugar Maple in NH that allowed us to put Multi taps on. Shamefully we used our propane grill, not the natural way you are doing it. I had a pan made similar to yours and it was fit to the grill opening. Control was a good feature. We got the job done and it was ours- Gallons into Small jars — what a wonder!
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Al, it is a wonder, isn’t it!?! This year I put up 2 buckets rather than 3 and am doing everything over gas. We don’t have the firewood this year, and we seem to be busier than usual. I do love spending the time outdoors for this, though.
Joy says
Once you have reduced it do you have to seal the jars you put this in? Does it stay fresh without the pressure of canning? Or, how do I store the syrup?
Thanks!
Susan Vinskofski says
Joy, you can either pour the boiling water into hot canning jars and seal, or just keep refrigerated. Since we don’t get a lot of syrup, we generally just refrigerate.