Long Distance Maple sugaring

[unimog406]

I live in williston ND and would like to do maple syruping, so before you say I am crazy I am not really looking to make a ton of money off it its more or less just a hobby. I used to live in NY and had a large sugarbush 10000 trees but went out west for the oil patch. I have all the equipment already I just need sap. Is there anyone outhere that would sell me about 1000-1500 gallons and possibly even haul it for an additional fee? Yes I do know sap goes rancid in about 4-5 days maximum. Thanks, Toby

[adk1]

ok. this has to be the craziest post ever on this site.

[jrgagne99]

Why not just buy syrup locally, then dilute it 40:1 with water to make your own sap?

:-)

[psparr]

Why not just buy syrup locally, then dilute it 40:1 with water to make your own sap?

:-)

****. Why didn't I think of that!!!!!

[tuckermtn]

i actually don't think its that crazy an idea. I would think your best bet would be to connect with a large producer in the Minn. or Wisconsin and see if you could buy some sap from them. Then find a milk hauler and see if you could get someone to get it out your way. A tandem axle milk truck would likely have a 2000 to 2500 gal tank so if you can store or absorb that much, you might get more sap per $. From North-Central Minn. it is an 8 hour ride. I know there is a theory that when sap travels it compromises the sap quality, but perhaps Dr. Tim can comment more on that theory. I am a maplehaulic so I can understand your interest.

p.s. guessing from your name you are either a UniMog owner or a fan. Saw a couple on ebay in Williston a few weeks ago. was that you? they had blowers on them.

[adk1]

I am not trying to be negetative and mean no disrespect at all but wow, that seems like a huge expense..the trucking alone would cost thousands if you ask me. Might be better served buying a piece of land with some maples on it as close to home as possible and then travel to it on the weekends and do your sugarin..maybe you could hire someone to just check on things while your away??

[happy thoughts]

I live in williston ND and would like to do maple syruping, so before you say I am crazy I am not really looking to make a ton of money off it its more or less just a hobby. I used to live in NY and had a large sugarbush 10000 trees but went out west for the oil patch. I have all the equipment already I just need sap. Is there anyone outhere that would sell me about 1000-1500 gallons and possibly even haul it for an additional fee? Yes I do know sap goes rancid in about 4-5 days maximum. Thanks, Toby

Surely, some sort of tappable maples are found in ND, no? There are always silver maples and box elders which appear to grow in your area.

[mrnorthshore]

There is a maple producer in Detroit lakes MN, just east of fargoND by like 45miles or so that might be your best bet. I have a smaller farm of 1300 taps but I am about 6 hours to Fargo. Good luck to ya I think its great.

[jrgagne99]

A tandem axle milk truck would likely have a 2000 to 2500 gal tank so if you can store or absorb that much, you might get more sap per $.

Wouldn't the milk flavor get infused into the sap? Sounds like you'd run a high risk of making off-flavored syrup.

[adk1]

yeah I thought about that as well. Better off finding a water truck of some sort and having an independent haul it for you