by Catherine Haug, October 22, 2011 (photos by Edd Blackler)
This is just a short synopsis; you can find more detail in the complete, printable pdf file: Gathering Summary: Sugar Tapping, by Kathie Lapcevic, October 19, 2011. See also Kathie’s handout: Maple & Birch Tapping at Home, by Kathie Lapcevic.
In addition to the main topic, Kathie opened with an announcement of Flathead Food Swappers’ first meet; see the Event Notice: Flathead Food Swap, Nov. 9, 2011.
Stephanie served a wonderful dessert: Pumpkin-Walnut-Cacao Cake with Chocolate Drizzle and Whipped Cream.
Presentation topics
Collecting sap in bucket
- Selecting a maple or birch tree for tapping
- When to tap
- How to tap (includes equipment needed)
- Collect the sap
- Cooking down the sap to syrup
- Pouring off
- Storage of the syrup
For more information
Books
Kathie recommends the following books:
- The Backyard Homestead, edited by Carleen Madigan (see Amazon for a peek inside)
- Encyclopedia of Country Living, by Carla Emry (see Amazon for a peek inside)
Handout & Gathering Summary (printable pdf files)
- Handout: Maple & Birch Tapping at Home, by Kathie Lapcevic
- Gathering Summary: Sugar Tapping, by Kathie Lapcevic, October 19, 2011.
References
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple
- Birch Tree Care (www.birch-tree.com/5-birch-tree.htm)
- Tapping Birch Trees in March for Birch Sap – Clean Water (www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RuLlECSPfM
- Sugar Tapping and Making Maple Syrup by Dr. Fankhauser, PhD.
- Hobby Maple Syrup Production by Randall B. Heiligmann
- Tap My Trees
- Natural Pathways: How to tap a birch tree