I'm glad you saw this thread Don. I promised you earlier in the season that I'd update you when the box elders finally gave me some syrup. I think you'd feel less "post-surgery bummed" if you collected a little box elder sap and boiled it on your turkey fryer. It wouldn't be a big commitment, you'd love the flavour and you'd still have a hand in the sugaring for the season. You could collect it now, keep it chilled or frozen and boil it when you feel like a caged animal after surgery. BTW, my box elders have been giving 2.5% sugar. A couple of buckets would be easy to care for after what you've been doing so far this year!