Tree buds?

[foxtail]

I got sick last week when the trees were really running and missed the good run. Now I have sap, but I have to wonder if the sap is any good. I have a lot of silvers tapped and I can see something way up in the trees that looks like buds. There are a few flowery things on the ground that look like tiny red flowers. The red in my yard shows none of this. The sap tastes like those wafer cookies that are so cheap. Doesw it sound like I missed out for the year?

[regor0]

Boil a little bit of it, if it smells like maple your good, if it smells like gym socks toss it.

[foxtail]

I'll try it.

[foxtail]

I cooked down a full barrel. It does not smell good, but it does not smell bad either. I am finishing right now. I guess at least I got to play with my brand new arch and learn its idiosyncrasies.

[foxtail]

...and in the end, it smelled like a jockstrap.