Comments on: We’d Tap That!

By: Lynn Short

Lynn Short — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:30:48 +0000

I have never had syrup from a Norway Maple but it sounds like an interesting project to use this species. I guess it will require a lot more boiling than for Sugar Maple which means the use of more resources to produce the same product. I understand the same is true for making Birch syrup.
Since Norway Maple is regarded as a pest species in ravines, I wonder if tapping might be considered in those locations if the trees are large enough.

By: Laura Reinsborough

Laura Reinsborough — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:38:11 +0000

Hi Vik,

Thanks so much for your comment. The concerns you raise are very real. We’ve been working hard to research and address them so that our project is done with the utmost respect for Toronto’s trees. Your comment helps me realize that we have not yet made these issues known nor have we articulated the precautions that we’ll be taking to ensure the trees are respected. Thanks very much for highlighting this. We’ve since set to work making our efforts on this more public so that this can be used as an educational opportunity.

If you’d like to contribute any further, please do not hesitate to contact me at laura@notfarfromthetree.org or the volunteer organizing team at tapthat@notfarfromthetree.org.

Best,
Laura
Artistic Director – Not Far From The Tree

By: Vik

Vik — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:33:27 +0000

Based on chapter 608 of the City of Toronto’s municipal code, which prohibits any activity that could be damaging to a tree in our parks, I am very concerned about this project. They prohibit things like tapping as city trees are usually under a lot of stress and may not recover from tapping. If park trees are considered under stress, street trees or trees on private property are likely more stressed. I believe that only forest trees in healthy environments should be tapped.

I think harvesting fruit from trees is a great idea but maple syrup is not an important food stuff that is needed by people in need – it is really a luxury item that may come at the expense of trees in an already impoverished urban forest.

If you do go ahead with this project, please respect the trees and do not over-tap them; have the tapping done by an experienced person who knows tree physiology, and train everyone working with the trees.

By: Andrew Lister

Andrew Lister — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:12:03 +0000

I’ve been tapping trees up north for a few years now. 2L pop bottles have worked well for me because the do a great job keeping the bugs out. I’m moving away from them because of the plastic breaking down/yellowing in the sun. I’ve begun to move toward metal coffee cans because they stand up better to the elements and I can get them a whole lot easier. You can cut a little hole into the plastic lid to let the sap drip through.

If you’re looking for a large steel pan for boiling down I would try going into a local high school or middle school (with a metal shop) and ask if you can talk with whoever runs the shop. Maybe one of the students would be able to build what you need.
Atkinson maple suppliers will also do custom pans in addition the sizes that they currently offer.

Hope this helps, good luck!

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:56:23 +0000

Hi Al,
Thanks for your comments! We are researching that very topic right now and we’d love to hear what advice you have to offer. One of our team members will be in touch very soon!

We’d Tap That! Team

By: Al

Al — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:45:42 +0000

This is an excellent idea and I’d love to help.
I might be able to provide a whole bunch of buckets and spiles (if they’re not being used this season).
But the real concern is how you plan to boil the sap down. I’ve done this. We had a large (maybe 3 foot by 5 foot), rectangular, stainless steel cooking pan. It goes over the heat. We used massive amounts of wood in a custom built furnace for hours, to keep the heat going.
When the sap is ready, and it’s easy to overcook, it has to be drained off and filtered before being bottled. This can easily be an overnight effort.
Have you considered the logistics?

Check the maple page of my website for more details and photos.