Maple Syrup Crisis Has a Backyard Solution

We thought Sen. Chuck Schumer was being silly when he suggested "tapping into" NY's maple trees in answer to a global syrup shortage, but it turns out he was onto something big. This week The Local took us on a tour Brooklyn maple trees—turns out they're positively gushing with the stuff. So grab your hammer, drill bit, plastic tubing and bucket—it's time to tap this shit!

According to Peter Smallidge, director of the Cornell Maple Program, New York currently taps less than .5 percent of its millions of available trees, compared to Vermont, which taps out at least 3 percent. Brooklyn is especially fertile ground for sap collection—just look for trees with “a large trunk (at least 10″ in diameter) and stems, and big leafy crowns.” According to The Local, the trick to good tapping is to "drill slightly upward and only about 1 inch to 1½ inch into the wood, which allows gravity to do the work without harming the tree." The watery sweet sap will come spilling out.

You can store the stuff on your fire escape, but don't eat it up before distilling it. All you'll need for your sugar shack is two big pots and a food thermometer. Three hours after the sap gets boiling it will reduce to the thick sticky brunch condiment you know and love. So get out there and start tapping, or Schumer will.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Sabrina Jaszi in Food on January 28, 2010 10:40 AM

Comments [rss]

Gothampc

I have visited maple farms many times and I can tell you that it takes buckets and buckets of sap to make a small amount of syrup.

ides_of_march

Not sure I'd want to consume anything from a city tree that's been filtering polluted city air for decades.

Snoopy

It will have a distinctive texture. Way higher in solids content. Not for everyone's palate, having a bit grittier grip on your waffles compared to that bland stuff from Vermont.

ides_of_march

It would probably make an excellent laxative too. Assuming it doesn't kill you first.

jgonzz

great. Now we'll see hipsters,crackheads and other basic NYC idiots making holes in neighborhood trees, Maple or not, to get 'fresh syrup'.

NannyState

Mmmm, Mrs Bushwick Butterworth's.

brooklnben

This is a cool idea - though there should be some official permit system if we are to take it seriously. Also, I believe the sap only runs a couple weeks a year - usually when it is above freezing during the day and below freezing at night. So, with such a short window, there will be a "rush" period - before which you need to already have the equipment in place on the tree.

JenChungsBaby

If you touch a city tree like that the Parks Department will be so far up your butt you won't see pancakes again for months.

Snoopy

This should solve the shortage. Except of course some fool Park Ranger will write you up for molesting a tree. You will be cooling your heels in a cell as the sap evaporates and the fine will set you back two paychecks. Blame it on Chuck.