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.
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.
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...)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....
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......
I haven't used them, Jeff. I do know that you can use them, along with shagbark, mockernut, and pignut hickories.......
