New to forum... should I tap these trees?

[jkbemdavis]

Hello! I have been eagerly reading this forum as I begin to plan for the next year and the beginning of very small scale ( I know.... famous last words) Maple syrup production.
Here is my question. I have approximately 10 mature maples (around 3 feet in diameter) that are near the edge of the road (within 10 feet, so the roots are definitely there). As I live in western New York and salt/brine is used to clear snow in the winter, would I have to avoid these trees, or would it not have a negative effect on the sap?
Thanks for your thoughts, and for a very entertaining and educational forum.
John

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

No, you should worry any about tapping them. If they are well spaced out in the open, they will probably produce tons of sap with 2 to 3 buckets/taps on each tree. Tree has a natural filtering system.

[jkbemdavis]

Hi Brandon,
Thanks for the quick reply. My grandparents used to tap them when I was a kid, but I figured maybe things had changed since then so I oughtta check with the experts here. Much appreciated.
John

[maple flats]

Roadside trees will be the best trees you can find. The sap will have a higher sugar% because they have bigger crowns too. Tap them!!! The salt will not come up in the sap.

[KenWP]

Wish somebody would talk to my roadside trees.They hardly give anything.What they do give is very sweet but 4 foot trees and they only give a gallon or so a day and that is with 3 taps in them.

[CBOYER]

trees roots were good filters but be aware of brine splashing by cars circulation.

[Kev]

I have found that the trees within 10 feet of pavement tend to give less sap than the equivelent tree 20 or 30 feet from a road. I SPECULATE that it is because so much of the root is under the pavement and may have less water due to hard pack roadbed.
but they are still worth tapping

[jkbemdavis]

I appreciate all of the thoughts. I had imagined that the larger crowns would likely help in sap production, but hadn't thought about it possibly being diminished due to the structure of the road being hard packed.

[Sugarmaker]

jkbemdavis,
Yes tap them!
I would recommend buckets for the first year so that you can see how each tree runs. Now start looking for a couple dozen or hundred more and you will be in good shape:)
These are the type of trees where if you could find 100 of them you would be set for awhile:)
We have 550 ish taps all on road side or yard maples. Sap yield is good and sugar contents is above 2% most years.
Good luck with your sugaring adventures. Keep us up dated!
Regards,
Chris

[Southtowns27]

Off topic, but where in WNY are you? I'm just outside Springville. Welcome to the addiction!

[jkbemdavis]

Not a problem... I'm in Frewsburg, near Jamestown. Thanks for the welcome....I seem to be diving into the addiction.
John

[WI Sugarpop]

Check out this article.

http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmaple/saltysyrup1987.pdf

[500592]

I find that my trees run less than the trees my neighbor has tapped because the water tends o build up more on that side of the road

[Hop Kiln Road]

When the hydrometer pops up on roadside sap, you have to decide how much of the density is sugar and how much is salt.


www.uvm.edu/~uvmaple/saltysyrup1987.pdf