not far from the tree

Norway Maple tree tapping is underway! Last Thursday March 4th, our first official tree was tapped at the home of some very enthusiastic tree owners, and I was lucky enough to tag along. Val and Heather, two of We’d Tap That’s very competent and knowledgeable volunteers coordinated the evening’s tap. Prior to our expedition the two had participated in a tap with Don Williams, a maple syrup expert who has been advising the pilot program. Don taught Val and Heather the proper techniques for tree tapping and they put their new skills to work.

When we arrived for the tree tapping the homeowner and her two eagerly awaiting school-age girls greeted us. The girls invited us in, quickly started asking questions, and pointed us to their backyard tree.

Before we went out to see the tree, Val and Heather gave everyone the low-down on how it would be tapped, how to collect the sap, how often to check the tree and sap, and how to store the ‘goods’.

Once we’d got caught up on the procedures, we went to check out the tree. The homeowner assumed the tree was about 100 years old, guessing it had been planted around the time the house was built. The tree had already been assessed by our experienced team members to ensure it was in proper health, and that tapping wouldn’t cause the tree any undo stress.

Val and Heather carefully inspected the tree’s root systems and determined the least invasive tapping locations. We all agreed on tapping two holes so each of the girls could care for their own tap and sap.

Once the holes were established the sap immediately started dripping. It was an exciting moment! To mark the occasion the girls decided it was only appropriate for each tap to be named: Tap #1 would be William; and Tap #2 would be Billy Bob Bojack (Bob, for short).

And now, urban sap is flowing!!

It is a first for this tree and homeowner, but it isn’t the first time syrup has been tapped from Toronto’s trees. As Heather and Val informed me, tree tapping used to be an annual event in Toronto, with City trees no less.

Don Williams tapped trees along Eastbourne Avenue between 1980 and 1993. For thirteen years the community was engaged in the production of local maple syrup.

This changed in 1994 when City staff decided that trees on City property (many front yard trees are on City property) were under too much stress and tapping might be adding unnecessary strain. This year Not Far From The Tree has been given the go-ahead from the City to tap a few Norway Maples on private property, and Don is helping train our volunteers on proper procedures.

Our first tree was a hit! All necessary steps were taken to ensure the tapping did not strain the tree. The girls, excited about caring for their taps, are now learning a little more about the production of maple syrup right in their own backyard!