I considered tapping a few this year, but just didn't get set up for it.
Wondering how much you will get from 6 taps...would it be worth while?
We put away about a gallon of syrup per year, and use a little less than that.

if i was ony getting say a gallon per tap then no 6 wouldn't really be worth it but we're getting about 2-3 from each one, the trees are about 4ft around 100+ years old, they are always good producers. i probably can do 3-4 spiles on each tree i just don't like draining that much "blood" from them. it all depends on the weather to, if you get lots of cold nights and above frezzing days it can run for a while,i shouldv'e started last week but its still not to late to get some, just remember its a 40:1 ratio of sap to syrup. check out tapmytrees.com for lots of good info. i like to use gallon jugs on my spiles with a piece of 3/8 rubber hose going into them to keep the flies out.

Thanks, I couldn't remember the ratio.
I should have everything ready for next spring and should be able to tap about 10 - 12 trees, which should give me plenty syrup for myself.

yes, I have my taps out and am doing my normal amount, we put up so many quarts, by the local makers, we are very small scale but it meets our needs, which is all I really want to do.. plus I do up little 8oz jars for gifting.

I have 4 taps in this year. I'll likely boil it on my cookstove this week as well since I have a fire going anyway....

the sap has been a little slow running the past couple days, we haven't been getting a good freeze then warm days but we're still up to about 45 gal of sap most is boiled down waiting for jars, but its still coming.

another side product from syrup production, some of our sap got boiled down a little to far the other night, though not all was lost we had a layer of sugar on the bottom of the pot, not wanting to wast anything i scraped it all out, put it on a cookie sheet and dried it out in the oven for later use.

Q&A How many trees do I need to tap to make medium to dark syrup for a familly of 4 to enjoy for one season to the next? Keep in mind 2 of us are under 16.

Hi,

I find the color is effect by when the sap is running/collected, and do you want this for all your sugar needs for the whole year? I personally normally make X amount of quarts per year but I only use maple for desserts, or as a sauce for things, I don't use it as a sugar for baking or canning etc

The rate is typically 40 to 1 so the first thing to figure out would be how many liters you need for your families wants?

Each tap typically gives 10 gallons but the size of the tree and the season itself (in terms of weather) makes a difference in how many taps per tree, and how good the run is.. A small tree might be only able to take one tap, while a much bigger older tree might be able to take upward of three taps.

http://www.maplesyrupworld.com/pages/Maple-Syrup-Grading.html

Thanks farmgal.

I was hoping for No. 3 Dark and as a sauce, dessert use and maybe a sugar supplement honey gets used here as well. I now know that I have nowhere near the amount of trees I need to do it myself so I will start to stock pile