Sugar Maple Trees in SE PA?

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Stax

Minister of Fire
Dec 22, 2010
941
Southeastern PA
As I tap my two Silver Maple trees in my backyard today (I know, it's late in the season), does anyone in SE PA have Sugar Maples. I did a search and found a Sugar Maple prevalance map of PA and it doesn't look like they are in SE PA. Is this true?
 
I'm sure there are plenty of sugar maples in your area Stax. Look around town, find some local people that will let you tap the trees on their property (I do that here at home). No maple syrup production for me this year, still chained to my living room project (and a hardcore bout of burnout.....)
 
As I tap my two Silver Maple trees in my backyard today (I know, it's late in the season), does anyone in SE PA have Sugar Maples. I did a search and found a Sugar Maple prevalance map of PA and it doesn't look like they are in SE PA. Is this true?
I have wondered this myself. On the range of Honey Locust. (which has appeared to be inacurate) But sugaring was a staple for many farms. I can buy sugar maples thru DEC as a reforestation tree. Its one of the top trees for replanting. I think those species range maps might be just for native ranges. Dont know. I have a guy friend in PA who is tapping his trees right now.
My guess is sugar maple is everywhere. Trees count on people to help spread themselves, like we did with Siberian elm and chinese bittersweet.
 
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Only a few around here,what was planted decades ago,but go further into eastern & northeast IA up into WI & points east & its very widespread.I've been tempted to tap that big Norway of neighbor's 2 doors north of me more than once....::-) For now I'll have to do with the stuff at ALDI. - 8.5 ounce glass bottles of Canadian Grade A Amber for $3.99,even Costco & Sam's Club price per ounce isnt any cheaper last I looked.

But I do have 1 Hard Maple growing among the other various shrubs,couple Mulberries,wild grape,small Elms,Hackberry etc out next to the front sidewalk next to street.Like everything else there,its a volunteer,about 6" diameter & 35' tall now. Hmmmmmm...... ;)
 
In the 'Field Guide,' looks like the natural range covers the entire state...
 
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Only a few around here,what was planted decades ago,but go further into eastern & northeast IA up into WI & points east & its very widespread.I've been tempted to tap that big Norway of neighbor's 2 doors north of me more than once....::-) For now I'll have to do with the stuff at ALDI. - 8.5 ounce glass bottles of Canadian Grade A Amber for $3.99,even Costco & Sam's Club price per ounce isnt any cheaper last I looked.

But I do have 1 Hard Maple growing among the other various shrubs,couple Mulberries,wild grape,small Elms,Hackberry etc out next to the front sidewalk next to street.Like everything else there,its a volunteer,about 6" diameter & 35' tall now. Hmmmmmm...... ;)
Give it a go, brother.....Norways put out sugar too (not as much as hard maple), but in the end it all tastes pretty much the same. When I started out years ago I used a mix of red maple, sugar maple, and norway maple and to this day, I still think that was the best tasting syrup I made (but I used to do it on the kettle over the open fire back then, too.....that also makes the syrup taste old-fashioned and I like old fashioned...)

Keep in mind, you'll need 40 to 50 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup (closer to 50 if you are using silver or norway maple). So, if you boil off 10 to 15 gallons of sap (which is doable with a couple of trees, easily), you can end up with a quart of syrup. And it'll be the best syrup you ever tasted because you made it from your own trees......
 
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Give it a go, brother.....Norways put out sugar too (not as much as hard maple), but in the end it all tastes pretty much the same. When I started out years ago I used a mix of red maple, sugar maple, and norway maple and to this day, I still think that was the best tasting syrup I made (but I used to do it on the kettle over the open fire back then, too.....that also makes the syrup taste old-fashioned and I like old fashioned...)

Keep in mind, you'll need 40 to 50 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup (closer to 50 if you are using silver or norway maple). So, if you boil off 10 to 15 gallons of sap (which is doable with a couple of trees, easily), you can end up with a quart of syrup. And it'll be the best syrup you ever tasted because you made it from your own trees......

There ya go....Like the first hammer/chisel/axe handle I made over 30 yrs ago....kinda rough looking & not as highly finished compared to later projects but was sturdy & I was proudly showing it to everyone>>
 
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Heck, people make syrup from box elder sap. It is a maple, after all. Ever throw that in the mix, Scotty?
 
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Heck, people make syrup from box elder sap. It is a maple, after all. Ever throw that in the mix, Scotty?
I haven't used them, Jeff. I do know that you can use them, along with shagbark, mockernut, and pignut hickories.......

don't forget birch, too! That's actually right AFTER maple season comes to an end.......those trees are late in the game.
 
Scotty, need to talk to ya. Screwed up tapping my trees today. Don't wanna hurt them. Sending you a PM now.
 
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