Sap season has begun! The weather has been perfect for making maple syrup this week, and I am going to attempt to present a picture tour of the process on our farm. Enjoy!
Maple trees shining silver in the sunlight. The sun and warmth drawn the sap out of the tree roots and up into the branches. After the sun goes down and the temperature drops, the sap goes back to the roots. This cycle causes the sap to flow, producing a "run".
We hooked up Prince and Roy as a team because the loaded sled is too heavy for just Prince. They get along okay, as long as Roy keeps his nose to himself,which is something he can't seem to do as you can see. He is always trying to start a fight with Prince, who is too good-natured- he just stands there and lets Roy bite him! I wonder if Roy knows that if Prince wanted to, he could squish him like an annoying bug?!
Kelvin emptying barrels of sap on the ridge. Our farm name comes from this view of the farm-see all the hemlocks on the ridge?
Some of the trees are quite a way from the trail-but Kelvin says he doesn't mind hauling as long as he's carrying the full buckets DOWN the hill and not UP. Trixie Anne supervises the progress from her snowy bed.
Clear sap flowing into the collection tank-it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.
Kelvin taking a turn at the reins (and being very patient while his wife is running around taking pictures!)
The next post will show the maple process from the sugar house (otherwise known as our garage!) You know I've never had as much fun doing syrup as I have this year with our horses and sled. The sad news is, the sled is in storage for the year now, and it's time to get the wagon out. Last evening,we were hitting a lot of bare spots getting from the woods to the garage, making it very difficult pulling for the boys and destroying our fall planting of rye in the fields. I will post "spring gathering" pictures using the wagon later.
Maple trees shining silver in the sunlight. The sun and warmth drawn the sap out of the tree roots and up into the branches. After the sun goes down and the temperature drops, the sap goes back to the roots. This cycle causes the sap to flow, producing a "run".
We hooked up Prince and Roy as a team because the loaded sled is too heavy for just Prince. They get along okay, as long as Roy keeps his nose to himself,which is something he can't seem to do as you can see. He is always trying to start a fight with Prince, who is too good-natured- he just stands there and lets Roy bite him! I wonder if Roy knows that if Prince wanted to, he could squish him like an annoying bug?!
The team had to be held; they aren't well enough trained to stand still while we collect. I help Kelvin by dumping the buckets into the tank, while he collects on the ridge. I get off and help collect the bucket close to the trail, staying in front of the team in case they get it in their heads that it's time to leave!
Kelvin emptying barrels of sap on the ridge. Our farm name comes from this view of the farm-see all the hemlocks on the ridge?
Some of the trees are quite a way from the trail-but Kelvin says he doesn't mind hauling as long as he's carrying the full buckets DOWN the hill and not UP. Trixie Anne supervises the progress from her snowy bed.
Clear sap flowing into the collection tank-it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.
Kelvin taking a turn at the reins (and being very patient while his wife is running around taking pictures!)The next post will show the maple process from the sugar house (otherwise known as our garage!) You know I've never had as much fun doing syrup as I have this year with our horses and sled. The sad news is, the sled is in storage for the year now, and it's time to get the wagon out. Last evening,we were hitting a lot of bare spots getting from the woods to the garage, making it very difficult pulling for the boys and destroying our fall planting of rye in the fields. I will post "spring gathering" pictures using the wagon later.
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