It’s time to tap the sap! We’re tapping maple trees in Miller Park and hanging the special blue collection bags to collect the sap for Saturday’s maple sugaring program.
The maple trees start producing sap in early spring when the warmer daytime temperatures and cold nights create pressure that pumps the sap up and down the tree. To collect the sap, we drill a hole, insert the tap, and hang the sap collection containers. Healthy maple trees more than 8 inches in diameter can be tapped each season; tapping does not affect the growth of the trees. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
Are you interested in learning more about maple sugaring? Sign-up by Thursday for the February 27th program at Miller Park. Learn how to identify the trees for tapping, see how trees are tapped and the sap is cooked to make maple syrup, then taste the sweet results.