Everything you need to know to make DIY Maple Syrup from your maple trees (on a budget!)

We may be in the middle of winter, but it’s time to start thinking about spring.  First on the docket: maple syrup prep.  Do you have maple trees and live in an area that has freezing winters? You can probably make maple syrup yourself! And while we have a lot of content on this blog about maple syrup production and how you can use the stuff, the information has been somewhat sporadic and incomplete–until now!  We’ve gone deeper, filled in the gaps, and developed a complete guide for harvesting and making your own maple syrup, from start to finish.

Identifying Maple Trees by Their Bark and Branches in Winter [updated]

We like to plan out the maple tapping around Valentine’s Day.  For anyone new to sugaring on their land, the first step is knowing which trees are good maples for tapping.  If you did not identify them in the Summer when the iconic maple leaves were easy to spot, don’t fret.  It is absolutely possible to ID the maples on your land in winter so you can make your own syrup.