Has anyone here made pine syrup?

[Common Tator]

I am wondering, because we don't have maples at our California ranch, but we have plenty of Sugar Pines. I looked them up and found this: "The name comes from its sweet sap, which John Muir preferred over maple syrup. Native Americans ate the sap and used the tree for a large number of purposes: seeds and bark for food..."


http://ceres.ca.gov/foreststeward/html/sugarpine.html

So while it may be too late to make it this year, as we have warmed quite a bit, I could prepare to do some syruping next year.

[ET1 SS]

My father likes to suck on pine sap to make chewing gum.

It has a high level of turpentine, so you spit a lot.

[Common Tator]

These Sugar Pines have an amazing aroma. It is very subtle but it is very sweet, and is something like a cross between brown sugar and vanilla!

The bark has cracks and voids in it, and that is a perfect place to get your nose close enough to really smell the tree.



Hubby thought I was insane when he saw me doing it, but I had him try and he loves the smell too!

I am hoping that the syrup tastes as good as it smells!

I could see the tar making you spit, but the sap is of an entirely different nature, isn't it?

[Michael Kawalek]

Hi CT
Are you sure those are sugar pines? I've been up in your area for years and I don't remember ever seeing one. Almost all the pines in your area are Ponderosa and Jeffery pines. Sugar pine has 5 long needles per bundle and a foot long thin cones, shaped like straightened bananas. Ponderosa pine (and Jeffery) have 2-3 needles per bundle and have a more globoid shaped cone.
Michael

[ET1 SS]

That photo looks like a Ponderosa pine.

[Common Tator]

I'll take a better look at the needles, but I definately have these pinecones.



Which I am not confusing with the Coulter Pine, which we also have.

And this website for the pinecone festival says we do have sugar pines in the San Bernardinos, where my ranch is located.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DG%26um%3D1

[Michael Kawalek]

Well, I think you're right. That is definately not a ponderosa/jeffery cone. Your property is sounding better and better all the time!

[Paul Wheaton]

Anybody found any of the syrup for sale? It might be worth tasting some final product before tapping your trees.

[Common Tator]

I have only found vague references to knowledge of an old timer who used to make it. I may be reviving a lost art here! I will scope out and map the Sugar Pines and get equipment this year, and do this next Spring.