Maple Syrup

1.Tapping Trees

   I am 60, and I first tapped maple trees when I was about 28. The spring gives its first little hint in a February thaw. I look out, and start to muse. I can feel the drill in my hand, and I can taste the sap. I go back and forth- ‘It’s too early, I’m too tired’ But as a few days go by I am lured, and go out to see my trees. Drill and tap in hand, I talk to them about the winter and the coming spring. They don't reply in words, but in the scent and freshness of the air, and the promise of sweetness.
   It is Thursday the 16th of February 2012. I put in 4 taps yesterday. It was 42*, cloudy, and they ran only a few drops. Today it is sunny, over 45*. and I have 17 taps in- most are running. The season has started. I am moving slowly, talking to the trees, remembering earlier years, looking out over the snow-covered garden and thinking of the season to come- grabbing seconds to come in and work on this website.
   I can't believe how much I am learning, as I pull up websites for supporting information. Reading about rocket stoves and rocket mass heaters. Finding more and more sites spanning the globe, all working on sustainable lifestyles, many of the same issues I am grappling with here. I went back and added to the beginning a quote from Richard Bach which I first heard in nursing school- 'You teach best, what you most need to learn'. I don't know if I would have done this much research in this time period, had it not been for the present need.

2/21/12 The first pot of near-syrup is on the stove, and everyone going by is sampling it, I've had a request for sap beer or sap wine. I know I've heard of such, but never tried to make it.

2. Commercial production of maple syrup

From the University of Maine,

http://umaine.edu/publications/7038e/

also available as a pdf;

www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/7038.pdf