Small batch MAPLE SYRUP making: you only need 1 tree!

Small batch maple syrup making: did you know you only need one or two trees and they don’t even have to be sugar maples?!
How to make maple syrup in your own backyard!
We tap 2 Autumn Blaze maples every year and make about 2 gallons of finished syrup. Here’s how we do it using mostly cobbled together stuff and no fancy equipment!
MAPLE SYRUP EQUIPMENT
Stainless Steel Buffet Pans 1/1, 6-inch:
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Starter Kit w/ 3 metal buckets + lids and 3 taps:
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Starter Kit w/ 3 plastic buckets + lids and 3 taps:
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Starter Kit w/ 10 taps + drop tubing and filters:
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Stainless Steel Taps 5-pack:
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Filters:
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MAPLE SYRUP MATH
How many taps can your tree have?
Circumference of:
31-53 inches = 1 tap
57-75 inches = 2 taps
79-inches = 3 taps
What temperature is it maple syrup?
7.5° above the boiling point of water
At sea level water boils at 212°F
So, at sea level maple needs to be 219.5°F
⛓ LINKS
Link to my preserving book, FREEZE FRESH
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👩🏻‍🌾 FIND US AT
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Sometimes we’ll link to products mentioned in the video, and using these links is also a great way to support us. Thank you so much!

[@heatherjennings145]

This has to be THE best maple syrup video I've ever watched--thank you! I so want to try it this year!!

[@wholefedhomestead]

I really appreciate that, thank you!

[@lydiah7184]

Crystal, you deserve millions of subscribers for the quality content you provide. I love every video!

[@wholefedhomestead]

Appreciate that, thank you! 🥰

[@hassanalhaj6182]

I deserve Canadian citizenship I love your life style and this woman helped me to live the moment ❤❤

[@kindcorner1787]

This helped me soooo much. I have 130 acres in Maine and I am making my own syrup for the first time. I am so excited, I just bought the filters for the niter. ThANKS SOOOOO MUCH!

[@wholefedhomestead]

💗💗💗

[@coletteandtulip]

Such an informative video! I had no idea making maple syrup was possible with just one or two maple trees. If I lived somewhere where it got really cold in the winter I think I'd try this.

[@wholefedhomestead]

Thanks so much!

[@bec0181mine]

I shared this video twice. A really great video for makeshift maple syrup-ing. I wanna do this!

[@wholefedhomestead]

Appreciate that, thank you!

[@gregjohnson481]

Awesome video Crystal. I can’t wait for next winter to roll around so we can get started. Thanks for sharing!

[@SmallMindEd69]

This was such an excellent presentation as your hard work is definitely appreciated.

[@wholefedhomestead]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@RobertViani]

Great sugar content in your sap! Nice vid. People make things too difficult. Backyard maple syrup is easy and can be done budget. New sub here🪵🔥🍁

[@wholefedhomestead]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Cheeseheadhomestead1]

Excellent video! I am a backyard syrup maker. This video is well done and makes it easy for newbs. I was filtering after but will try before based on your recommendation.

[@wholefedhomestead]

Thanks! I appreciate that! 💗

[@dalesworld1308]

I've been doing syrup for three years now, last couple of years the warm January has started the sap flowing early. I like the angle iron/fence post supports - I'm going to do that now. Thanks!

[@claudiag7517]

What a great video! I've been backyard sugaring for several years here in VT, using a homemade cinderblock evaporator my dear husband assembles for me each year (don't have a great place to keep it permanently on our land.) It works well, but only holds 3 pans, so the process takes a bit longer. Usually I get a gallon or more of syrup - enough for our purposes and gifting. It IS a lot of work, but so gratifying, especially since this maple magic is created using such simple, low-tech equipment - lol! You've provided a few tips that I'll be trying next year - thank you!

[@karenfifelski7891]

Thank you so much for this video. I am tapping trees for the first time today and this information was complete and understandable.❤

[@BellasWhisperFarmstead]

How cool is this! I need to do this. 😊

[@hooboohare]

This is the best video I've found for small batch maple syrup! Thank you! We are trying it for the first time.

[@wholefedhomestead]

Thanks! Good luck!! 😊

[@nelliehildebrandt3698]

I just came across your channel and have only watched two of your videos so far but they are the most informative videos i have seen!! Thank you! I am off to binge watch more.....

[@wholefedhomestead]

Thanks so much! 🥰

[@lisapetersson628]

Excellent video! Practical and helpful. Thank you for the thoughtful content.

[@wholefedhomestead]

Appreciate that, thanks!

[@SallyDearing-cz8np]

Great video! thank you for sharing your process. I have wanted to experience tapping and making maple syrup for a long time. Unfortunately, I don’t live in a climate for this. The day by the fire sounds fun.

[@cynthiafisher9907]

I used to have 4 huge silver maple trees, but after trying to keep them alive for 20 years, they are gone. I only have 1 English walnut tree, I’m thinking it would be fun to try tapping it! I live in SW Idaho. Thanks for such an informative video, subscribed!

[@paullindsay767]

I sent off for 8 buckets, lids and spiles in 2011. Used clean 1 gallon milk jugs also, aluminum arrows sawed to length for 10 additional spiles, with plastic tubing. I live in the Atlanta, Ga area, and in January and early Feb. we do get the temperatures needed to set maple trees, well below freezing nights, warmer, 40 to 50 degree days. I tap 7 northern sugar maples here in the yard, and some reds and southern sugars down near the swamp at the deer property. Get 50 to 100 gallons sap after 2 weeks or so. Freeze it or multiple boils. Had big flat stainless steel pan made , it fits over firepit I made specially for this. Boil with oak firewood, as I cut my own and have lots. It is a tremendous success whenever I pursue it. About 1.5 to 2 gallons will result. Give a lot away. Finish in the house on the stove. Takes a lot of effort, but great exercise for a retired old fart. If you get the right temps, and have the trees, you can do it anywhere. Look forward to it yearly. now in my 70's. Just found your channel---now subscribed. This video is the real deal= accurate about the home maple syrup experience!

[@wholefedhomestead]

Thanks so much!

[@802louis]

Great job 👏

[@GrowCookPreserveWithKellyDawn]

Great video--I'm working on mine this week. We had a really small batch this year because it warmed up too much. If you filter at each stage, you won't have that sludge at the end. The filters are washable and reusable. Also, if you pack the syrup while still hot, the seal should form on the jars without canning. At least it does for me. I'm still using syrup from last year.

[@briebrager6725]

Such a great informational video thank you!!

[@wholefedhomestead]

Thanks!

[@HolyFamilyHomesteadWV]

Our new farm has black walnut trees and im anxious to try and tap them! This is so cool!!

[@HolyFamilyHomesteadWV]

This is also a great reason to go ahead and order our grains in the buckets instead of bags bc i can reuse them for this!!

[@wholefedhomestead]

I’ve always wanted to try tapping black walnut!

[@HolyFamilyHomesteadWV]

@@wholefedhomestead ill let you know how it goes! Hoping to film our efforts!

[@cstump2005]

Quick note- I boil my sap down start to finish in my kitchen every year (3 gallons last year!) and haven’t noticed a difference on my walls or cupboards. I did try boiling outside once but didn’t like the flavor so inside it is!

[@janetkaye5110]

You mentioned about not "boiling" the sap in your house. DO NOT DO IT!! It not only makes your cupboards sticky but you WILL have ants living with you during the summer. We learned the hard way many years ago. Have never, nor will we ever, do that again.

[@BaronOfDaker]

This is actually a myth, the sugar *does not evaporate* with the water. What *can* happen, however, is that if you have a very vigorous boil, some of it can be mechanically carried to surrounding objects. If you plan for this by having a really tall pot, you'll be fine. Done it for years, not even slightly sticky.

[@canadiangirl5159]

I'm in Alberta and some types of Maple trees can grow here, but I don't think they'll produce any syrup. I'm zone 4 I would love to have a tree that did.

[@PickleRick65]

All maple trees produce maple syrup. Sugar maple is just the sweetest

[@mairzydotes3548]

“Well stocked junk pile”; loved that. Super interesting and informative. What would be the difference in making grade a vs grade b syrup?

[@wholefedhomestead]

Grade has to do with color… ours usually falls somewhere in the middle.

[@gregbluefinstudios4658]

Very cool! What part of the country are you guys in? I am in New England, and interested. I've been keeping gardens, canning, and saving my foods, for quite some time. Doubtful Maple Syrup is on the list this season, but I would say, next, for sure!

[@wholefedhomestead]

We are Wisconsin 😊

[@kylebell7879]

Yeah canada is cool hope yall get through your political woes id love to visit someday and see your national parks (when like you have rights again) ❤️

[@jeffreyd3174]

Good to see the world is watching us go down the Authoritarian road. Our WEF puppet Trudeau has to go.

[@mrtrek64]

What a fantastic video! I wish you were my neighbor so we could trade for jarred tomatos. :)

[@wholefedhomestead]

💗💗

[@jmcguire5151]

Now an old mapler told me that if your sap freezes, pull out the chunks of ice and toss it. That's all the water in the sap that you are trying to boil out. And by tossing it will cut your boil time down.

[@wholefedhomestead]

Yes, you can do that but you need to be careful you don’t accidentally throw out too much sugar.

[@cindysplace]

This is great! I wish I could do this, but I live in the desert, so this isn't going to happen. Do you sell your syrup?

[@wholefedhomestead]

Nope, it’s just for us!

[@angelahove4008]

What about using a hydrometer? We use the Brewing America syrup hydrometer and test cup.

[@wholefedhomestead]

You can do that, yes. It isn’t necessary for small backyard production though.

[@66limelight]

I have several silver maples and want to try this next year. I've watched several videos and when finishing the syrup you want to heat it to 219 degrees as you did. But do you test it for sugar content before you heat it to 219? Or do you just go by what it looks like and then get it to 219? I'm asking because you could heat it to 219 degrees before you've boiled enough of the water off. Great video!

[@wholefedhomestead]

For home syrup making going by temp is all you need to do. We’ve tested it for sugar content in past years and it’s always been great. It’s not necessary though.

[@johnwilliamson2276]

I have 2 silver maple trees in my backyard, will they work?

[@wholefedhomestead]

Indeed!

[@silverlakehomestead]

I would love to try making maple syrup but we only have two maple trees on our property - one is right near a main road and I worry about contamination from all the cars and road treatments the other tree is huge and beautiful and would be perfect if it wasn’t directly next to our septic tank. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I mentally can’t do poop syrup.

[@wholefedhomestead]

😂 poop syrup

[@RobertRussell-qg2lf]

I take mine to 2.23F and it tastes like candy

[@saraicampos1732]

Like

[@Mrs.T.Rusch25]

Can this be done here in Florida?

[@wholefedhomestead]

I’m guessing no… you need a long stretch of below freezing nights.

[@MH-qb9ev]

It does not grow together after 4 weeks.

[@yomuvva77]

Oh. My. God. So I watched this and chose to embark on my own backyard adventure in making maple syrup. Grabbed my power drill and a bucket, went outside, and realized I don't have a maple tree. Went back inside and put on my collection of Phil Collins solo albums. Guys, within an hour, I had so much sap that I was able to make over 200 gallons of syrup. Work smarter, not harder, guys.