I have just found out that my Box Elder tree which I thought was only useful for hanging my hammock on, is also known as the Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo). This tree is closely related to the Sugar Maple so after a bit of research I realised that I could tap maple syrup from it. I collected some items e.g. 8mm tubes, clear hosing, power drill and 8mm drill bit, bottles and bucket. I only needed to drill two holes and the sap started to flow (slowly). My trunk diameter is only 35cm approx. so I only drilled 2 holes. I had read that the best time of year to tap maple trees is at the end of winter and start of spring when the sap rises, so Sept is the right time in NZ. It took three days to get 4 litres of sap.
Then I boiled it down for 3 hours. I kept the kitchen well ventilated because I read that the steam can make a sticky mess in your kitchen. I kept it at a rolling boil (note the jam making thermometer). It takes 40 parts of maple sap to make 1 part maple syrup. After 3 hours it had reduced down to 120 ml and was light brown coloured and a bit thicker.
After cooling I filtered the syrup through coffee filter paper to clarify it. then bottled it. So amazing to be able to make my own maple syrup, although at three days production to produce 120 mls I won’t do it too often.
Ellen's forest garden 