Tapping Maples in Flooded Areas

[ScottT]

We have a good number of silver maples in three areas of our property that are flooded/wet & muddy during taping season.

I was thinking about running lines from these areas to make it easy to collect the sap.

Question: Do you find that the syrup produced from trees in swampy/flooded areas has a different taste? Our higher elevated areas are all Sugar Maples.

[Pdiamond]

the only thing I ever noticed from my silvers was that the sugar content may be a little lower than the sugar maples. I had one that always proved me wrong and produced a high sugar content year after year. The only thing I could figure out was because it was a yard tree.

[Gord]

I don't think he's asking about Silver Maples.
He's asking the same question I have regarding an area on his property that's wet or flooded in the spring. I have a piece of property very similar. Not fun mucking around collecting, when you're on buckets.
My experience has been no difference in taste, and little difference in sugar content, compared to my trees on higher dryer ground.

[littleTapper]

I don't think he's asking about Silver Maples.
He's asking the same question I have regarding an area on his property that's wet or flooded in the spring. I have a piece of property very similar. Not fun mucking around collecting, when you're on buckets.
My experience has been no difference in taste, and little difference in sugar content, compared to my trees on higher dryer ground.

He literally said "silver maples" :confused:

Runs some lines and tap them!

Occasionally some of my silvers will see higher water. No difference in syrup flavor. They make wonderful syrup. The leaf buds will swell and sap will turn before the sugar maples though, so be ready for that. Ignore flower buds; many people stop when the flower buds open and that's not a problem.

[ScottT]

Right. There are a number of Silvers in a flooded/wet area. Was just wondering about taste difference in areas that are wetter or under water.

[Gord]

Sorry folks, I know he said Silver Maples. I thought he was asking a question more about his flooding situation, than what type of maple tree they are. I have an area that is wet most of the year, and at time has standing water in the spring. Was hoping for more insight on that part of the question.

Sorry Little Tapper, I didn't mean to confuse you.

[Pdiamond]

As littletapper said the silver maples make good syrup. They just bud earlier. Also as he said you don't have to worry about the flower buds, it's the leaf buds that turn the sap and they usually quit running before that happens, at least mine did.

[littleTapper]

Sorry folks, I know he said Silver Maples. I thought he was asking a question more about his flooding situation, than what type of maple tree they are. I have an area that is wet most of the year, and at time has standing water in the spring. Was hoping for more insight on that part of the question.

Sorry Little Tapper, I didn't mean to confuse you.

No harm, no foul. After re-reading, I can see how you interpreted the question and it's just as valid as how I did. :)

I've read that sugars don't care for standing water or really damp soil, but that doesn't mean some folks don't have some that see it and if they've noticed any difference in syrup from them vs upland sugars, that would be good to know.

[ScottT]

All good advice, Thank you. Going to give it a try running a line through the wet/flooded area and tapping those trees. This will give us another 10 trees. Every drop counts.

[Gord]

No harm, no foul. After re-reading, I can see how you interpreted the question and it's just as valid as how I did. :)


HAHAHA I jumped the gun on that one! As soon as I read what he named the thread "Tapping Maples in Flooded Areas" I was thinking of the flooded area I have. I didn't realize he wanted information just on Silver Maple trees in wet areas. My flooded area is all Red Maples. Some flow good, others not so much. But I'm on buckets, so I'm sure that changes things also.

[Andy VT]

Holy cow people!
He wants to know if one can/should tap flooded maple trees.
Yes, he mentioned that they happen to be silvers but that has nothing to do with the information wanted.
He wants to know if tapping flooded trees is a good idea from a final product perspective and maybe sugar content.
Sounds like, yes, tap 'em? (if you can get to 'em)?

[Pdiamond]

Most of what I have read about Red Maples is that on lines with vacuum they flow rather well. without vacuum some flow well and others don't. Dave K. does/has a lot more information about red maples than I.

[Ghs57]

Many of my maples are in swampy areas or creekside. I never hesitated tapping them, and my customers say nothing tastes like my syrup. It does make working in these area a bit messy, with water boots a necessity. Stringing my lines back and across the creek (multiple times) makes for an interesting balancing act. But it's well worth it. They run great.

[ScottT]

That's good to hear. We have several places where we have maples in hard to reach areas. Setting some lines should make it easier. I just didn't want to waste time tapping trees in flooded areas if it creates an off taste in the syrup.