tapping boxelder trees

[PrairieGhost]

That's not overboard at all. It's cheap entertainment and productive. It's good to know there are things you can do to take care of yourself. With a minor in botany one of my hobbies is wild edible plants. People would be surprised to know the prairie will feed them. Not like our farmers can do, but a section of land with a couple of wetlands would feed your family.

 

[guywhofishes]

that’s my old metal yard wagon

when I’m done I’ll disassemble stack, place pipes in barrel, and sell it early next season or do it again - we’ll see - ha ha

- - - Updated - - -


sand on bottom, crappy old grate from fireplace, and two six-packs of fire brick from Menards keep heat directed at the pans
and prevent premature burnout of drum

- - - Updated - - -



a few odd bricks properly oriented keep heavy barrel securely in place

I can rotate barrel and adjust wagon tongue height to keep pans level

I can move wagon to friendly places no matter the wind direction

 

[PrairieGhost]

Good thinking put into that guy. In the past I just boiled in an old cream separator bowl outside over a campfire and sometimes a Coleman stove.

 

[NodakBuckeye]

That is (or hopefully will be) pretty sweet. We used to go to Vermont every June for fishing and always picked up a gallon or 3 from farmers my uncle knew, good stuff. My father in law got his from the Amish he knew. It was a very interesting process.

 

[fishdrinkhunt]

Rather be fishing!

 

[Davey Crockett]

I hope it turns out to be a sweeter deal than my wild honey harvest. I waited until we had a good cold morning and by they had already eaten most of the honey. What little I did get was rewarding and challenging, Those that claim honey bees won't fly when it's cold out are pulling our leg. I didn't get stung but they had the run on me a couple of times.

 

[guywhofishes]

I’ve pissed away time and money on other goofy pursuits, this just might be one of em. lol

But I’ll have scratched that stupid itch.

- - - Updated - - -

 

[3Roosters]

Don't get hooked like our lake place neighbors who are year rounder's !! They have made an out door overhead shelter and take turns manning the evaporating process so it goes 24/7. Damn dedication I tell ya! Gonna visit them next weekend during Easter weekend to check out how the maple syrup collection is going.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

Guy, just let me know when I should come over for pancakes or waffles. I'll bring the cigars and scotch (in my best Sean Connery voice).

 

[Bed Wetter]

guywhogoesoverboardonstufflikethis

https://youtu.be/5xgjtm4_M20

 

[guywhofishes]

I’m pretty sure it’s just a phase.

I am already looking forward to the next new thing.

 

[fj40]

Learn a new language. Be handy in Little Minneapolis.

 

[PrairieGhost]

I’m pretty sure it’s just a phase.

I am already looking forward to the next new thing.

To go with your new syrup make yourself some pancakes with 20% cattail pollen.

 

[BDub]

My brother has one big maple tree that has released 300 gallons of sap. He cooks up a bunch and also deals with the Amish. He gets the sap and the Amish cook it up. This year 30 to 1 ratio which is exceptional. I managed to get about a half gallon of syrup . He has several areas to collect from in Wisconsin.

 

[MathewsZman]

To go with your new syrup make yourself some pancakes with 20% cattail pollen.

WELL, HELL YOU'RE NOT EVEN BEING DISSED . HUH !
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjADegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw045SLtOA3TOoIPMiGa3ANZ

 

[Magpie]

Hope the neighbors don't think you're cooking meth.

 

[Bed Wetter]

Hope the neighbors don't think you're cooking meth.

I disagree. This will be infinitely more entertaining if the neighbors suspect shenanigans. I fully support and promote suspicious assumptions.

 

[SDMF]

I disagree. This will be infinitely more entertaining if the neighbors suspect shenanigans. I fully support and promote suspicious assumptions.

I wonder what the response would be if someone called in, "I think my neighbor is concentrating Curare, I'm afraid we're going to have a Serpent and the Rainbow situation here soon."

 

[Captain Ahab]

Hope the neighbors don't think you're cooking meth.

#guywhosbreakingbad

 

[guywhofishes]

filtered maple at right, unfiltered box elder left.

the “white sand” at bottom of box elder is dissolved minerals that are forced to drop out of solution as water is removed.

The flavor of this “early” flow syrup is bizzare. Vanilla cotton candy or some such.

Maple forums say this is not too unusual. As season progresses it’s supposed to start tasting more like classic maple.

Fascinating stuff. Many producers keep this early stuff for themselves.

- - - Updated - - -





the brix of saps using hydrometer

maple sap at top

boxelder at bottom

I think I might have a couple stud sugar maples!