Just in case, though, the boys and I hiked around the land marking sugar maples. They are easier to find when the leaves are still on, so you need to mark them in the fall. Tapping for syrup happens in the winter.
I won a pair of Oboz boots at GoFest this year, from a drawing that Walkabout Outfitters did, which I love.
Readers, do you know what a sugar maple tree looks like?
I saw maples tapped over in the valley years ago but the guy wasn't getting the volume he needed from what I remember. I think he said something about needing colder weather like up north or at a higher altitude like in Highland county. But I suspect that you could get enough to have fun with the boys. Any maple will work but the sugar variety has a higher percent of sugar. Over there it would drip down the trees and evaporate and I would lick the sugar off of the bark, I had to reach higher than the cows though. I think it takes a mature tree with enough bark built up as I never saw a small tree tapped. I saw taps made out of a piece of half inch pipe with a slot cut in the top to hold a gallon milk jug.
ReplyDeleteGood boots I would be happy with some like that for sure!
congrats on the win and good luck with the tapping!
ReplyDeleteA number of people tap Maples here in Mid Missouri. They also will tap Boxelder trees which are also excellent sap producers and in the Maple family. I have never done it myself but I know from trimming the several Maples and Boxelders I have growing around the place that the sap does flow pretty good in February and March. I have thought about doing it a time or two but I would need more trees than I have access to on the Small-Hold. My neighbor ends up boiling down about 20 gallons worth every Spring though and gives us some.
ReplyDeleteNo, Lisa, I really don't know what they look like. But, good for you winning those boots. Awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't know what the maple looks like, but I bet it's a fascinating process. I remember reading the Little House books when I was a child. I think it's the first one--Little House in the Big Woods--where the family goes to another house to help with the syrup and then they have a party and eat it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThose are great boots. What a cool prize!
our next door neighbors had a gorgeous sugar maple in the front yard . . . too bad for me they had it taken out . . . (yep, they sold it . . wow.) It was so lovely, i miss it a lot.
ReplyDeleteReally? Your feet grew? Thanks for sharing, i didn't realize . . .
love & love,
from one of your many fans
Congrats on your win - the boots look really comfy!!
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of sugar maples up here and a lot of people tap. Great boots, by the way!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool you have maples and can tap them. Not happening here LOL.
ReplyDeleteWTG on the boots! Nice win. I have a pair of Merrell hiking boots I have had over 20 yrs and they are still good! They are indestructible I am starting to think. Oh they look a bit worse for the wear but they are still dry and good soles etc.
I have heard other women say their feet grew when they were pregnant, not having ever had kids I haven't experienced that but it seems to be fairly common. You have to wonder why your feet would grow LOL because of pregnancy.
Parabéns e boa sorte na batida....
ReplyDeleteCumprimentos
Nice boots! Can't say I could identify a Sugar Maple. I am sure my husband could, though.
ReplyDeleteWe have maple trees.. but we do not think they have syrup in them!
ReplyDeleteVery nice boots!! love them!
love
tweedles
Uh...it's a tree...with leaves (or not).....
ReplyDeleteDon't even tell me you make your own syrup too!!
Good Morning, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what a sugar maple tree looks like,
for I have never seen them before...
It'll be nice if you post a picture of them.
Your new hiking boots look so comfortable and lovely.
My feet also grew a lot bigger lately, but not after my pregnancy.
Thank you so much, Lisa for reading my blog posts, and writing
your heartfelt comments!! I highly appreciate true friendship.
God may bless you all.
Hope, Peace & Love,
Poet Starry.
I must confess that I don't. But what a nice pace of life around your farm! Congrats on scoring cool shoes too!! :)
ReplyDeletecongrats on the win, how fun! my feet did the same with my pg's too!
ReplyDeleteI have heard the feet grow when you're expecting. That's so funny isn't it?? I know a regular maple, from growing up in the north. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have no experience with sugar maples or tapping, but sounds like great fun. Love the boots, and congrats on winning the drawing for them!
ReplyDeleteGood luck I know someone who has done it - it is a big project - but if anyone can do it - it's you!
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor has lots of Maple trees. I don't know the difference in my Maple trees though. I love your boots!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know a sugar maple tree if it hit me in the head LOL I was hoping you'd show one in your post!
ReplyDeleteI know maples in general but not by their first names.
ReplyDeleteMy feet flattened out (grew) during my 3 pregnancies. Never tightened back up, so I had to get new boots too.
ReplyDeleteI know hard maples on sight, but am not sure on sugar maples.
Love the boots. Sounds like a fun adventure!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the tapping. Apparently my son learned how to find sugar maples in his kindergarten class last year. I didn't have the pleasure of going on the expeditions with him.
ReplyDelete