Maple Sugar

[Tom]

It's that time of year again, get those taps out! I'll probably do 2 taps this year, pretty basic. Anyway, I always associated this tune with Ward Allen's fiddle but here’s a video that calls a "traditional accordion tune" so it's now on the list to try out. So many tunes, so little time....

 

[Dingo40]

Tom,
Where I lived as a boy it was also the custom to tap the ( birch ??) trees for sugary juice.
Where I live now, there are neither birches nor maples ?, but maple syrup comes readily available in bottles at all the supermarkets ?
Thanks for sharing this great clip ??

 

[Tom]

Tom,
Where I lived as a boy it was also the custom to tap the ( birch ??) trees for sugary juice.
Where I live now, there are neither birches nor maples ?, but maple syrup comes readily available in bottles at all the supermarkets ?
Thanks for sharing this great clip ??

Hi Dingo,

You know, I've never tapped the birch trees but it's definitely worth a try. Some people here also just drink the maple sap straight or as a tea, it's pretty good. I'm not sure where you are, but Australia does have a reputation as kind of "deserty".

 

[Dingo40]

Tom,
You're right: if needing a desert, 90% of Australia would do as a substitute!?
When we moved to where we live now, if wanting any kind of garden, you need to water all year around ?
We even had local (desert, including some cacti) plants die for lack of water after five straight dry years!
I guess we're a bit like Nevada or Arizona.
A while back, the Government was scouting for names to call our state, South Australia being considered a bit bland. I suggested "Aridzona"?
It didn't take?

 

[Tom]

Tom,
You're right: if needing a desert, 90% of Australia would do as a substitute!?
When we moved to where we live now, if wanting any kind of garden, you need to water all year around ?
We even had local (desert, including some cacti) plants die for lack of water after five straight dry years!
I guess we're a bit like Nevada or Arizona.
A while back, the Government was scouting for names to call our state, South Australia being considered a bit bland. I suggested "Aridzona"?
It didn't take?

Wow!

 

[Jim2010]

Never had birch juice, but lots of maple sugar, especially when I lived in Vermont (northeastern USA).
Since moving south to Florida, my taste for sugar has changed, squeezed fresh from the cane.
Here is some more southerly but still "traditional" sugar music.

 

[Dingo40]

Tom
See here:


Much like maple trees, birch trees can be tapped for a steady source of delicious and edible liquid sap, also called birch water. The tapping season for birch trees doesn't arrive until mid- to late April, or just before the trees begin to sprout buds, but it's always a good time to learn how to do it.?

 

[Tom]

Tom
See here:


Much like maple trees, birch trees can be tapped for a steady source of delicious and edible liquid sap, also called birch water. The tapping season for birch trees doesn't arrive until mid- to late April, or just before the trees begin to sprout buds, but it's always a good time to learn how to do it.?

Thanks Dingo! In your honor I will try (to remember) it this year as I have several birches among the predominantly maples. With global warming the season seems to be getting earlier every year, I expect to tap in March this year, some people are already starting.

 

[Dingo40]

Tom,
Last night we viewed a segment of David Attenborough's "Green Planet " where a woodpecker was busily doing some maple tapping of its own. In the process, it was providing not just for itself but also for a whole variety of other creatures ranging from squirrels to humming birds!?