According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_macrophyllum) the Oregon Bigleaf Maple tree can be used to produce maple syrup.
Here's a quote from the article:
"Maple syrup has been made from the sap of Bigleaf Maple trees.[8] While the sugar concentration is about the same as in Acer saccharum (sugar maple), the flavor is somewhat different. Interest in commercially producing syrup from Bigleaf Maple sap has been limited.[9] Although not traditionally used for syrup production, it takes about 132 L (35 gal.) of sap to produce 3.8 L (1 gal.) of maple syrup."
Does anyone here in the Pacific Northwest know of anyone who makes maple syrup here? I'd love to do this! I will need to research this one further.
Also the article says the national champion big leaf maple tree is in Marion, Oregon. I did not know that. That's only about 15 or so miles from me. I will need to drive over there and check it out! Here's the article quote:
"The current national champion Bigleaf Maple is located in Marion, Oregon. It has a circumference of 305 inches (or a average diameter at breast height of about 8 feet 1 inch), is 88 feet tall, and has a crown spread of 104 feet.[12]"
I have a friend that lives in Marion! In fact, today, I was 5 miles away, and didn't even know this until reading this article. Hmmm, sounds like I have a field trip in my near future!
Oregon Bigfoot
Here's a quote from the article:
"Maple syrup has been made from the sap of Bigleaf Maple trees.[8] While the sugar concentration is about the same as in Acer saccharum (sugar maple), the flavor is somewhat different. Interest in commercially producing syrup from Bigleaf Maple sap has been limited.[9] Although not traditionally used for syrup production, it takes about 132 L (35 gal.) of sap to produce 3.8 L (1 gal.) of maple syrup."
Does anyone here in the Pacific Northwest know of anyone who makes maple syrup here? I'd love to do this! I will need to research this one further.
Also the article says the national champion big leaf maple tree is in Marion, Oregon. I did not know that. That's only about 15 or so miles from me. I will need to drive over there and check it out! Here's the article quote:
"The current national champion Bigleaf Maple is located in Marion, Oregon. It has a circumference of 305 inches (or a average diameter at breast height of about 8 feet 1 inch), is 88 feet tall, and has a crown spread of 104 feet.[12]"
I have a friend that lives in Marion! In fact, today, I was 5 miles away, and didn't even know this until reading this article. Hmmm, sounds like I have a field trip in my near future!
Oregon Bigfoot