FAQ

I've heard that it takes quite a lot of sap to make pure maple syrup.  How much does it take?

     It takes an average of 40 gallons of tree sap to make 1 gallon of finished syrup! This year (2018 Season) the sugar content was low so it took 54 gallons from my trees to make 1 gallon of syrup!!

When exactly is the syrup making season and how long is it?

     Typically, the sap starts to run mid to late February and can go into April.  This can shift forward or back a week or two, depending on the weather and also the location of the trees. The season averages 5-6 weeks each year.

Why does the sap stop flowing?

     Once the temperature stops fluctuating between freezing at night and thawing during the day, then the sap stops flowing.

Does taking sap from the tree, harm the tree?

     Trees are only tapped once they reach a diameter of 10 to 12 inches when measured 4.5 feet above ground level, which means the tree is anywhere from 40-50 years old.  Tapping a tree is similar to a human donating blood - only a small amount is taken for a short amount of time, so no harm is done in either case.  There are trees that have been tapped for more than 150 years!

How do I substitute pure maple syrup for white sugar in my recipes?

     Use one for one.  So if a recipe calls for 1 cup of white sugar, then use 1 cup of pure maple syrup.  Then, reduce the liquid in the recipe by 3 Tablespoons for each cup of syrup used.  This will add minerals and anti-oxidants to your recipes - not to mention a much better flavor than white table sugar!

Is maple syrup organic?

     Most maple syrup is produced in forests where no herbicides or pesticides have been used, which means it would be considered organic.  On our land, I can assure you that this is the case!