Maple Sugaring

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Maple Sugaring

• In Geauga County
• By Mrs. Maxwell
• Kindergarten

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One sign of Spring in Geauga County Ohio is
Maple Sugaring
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Maple Sugaring is a process in which sugarmakers
collect the sap from a certain type of maple tree.
The Sugar Maple Tree
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Sap is found inside the tree.
It looks just like waterbut has a slightly
sweeter taste.
It gives trees energy and helps them make new
leaves.
You cant take sap from trees that are too old,
they wont have enough energy to survive.
You cant take sap from trees that are too young,
they wont have enough energy to grow.
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There are several steps involved in Maple
Sugaring.
1. Tapping the tree.
2. Inserting the spile.
3. Gathering the sap.
4. Boiling the sap into syrup.
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Maple sugaring is a tradition that began back in
the Native American Indians time.
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Indians used primitive tools
a hatchet to cut the tree
a spile to direct the sap
and a birch basket to gather the sap.
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When it came time to cook, the Indians used a
hollowed out log and hot stones to boil the sap.
This would cause the sap to evaporate and the
syrup would be left behind.
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The Indians taught this method to the Pioneers,
who used their technology to advance the process.

They tapped the tree by using an auger, a tool
which drills a tiny hole in the tree.
They improved the spiles by carving them with a
ridge and tunnel for the sap to travel through.
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They used buckets to gather the sap and a yoke to
carry more than one bucket at a time.
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They boiled the sap in large kettles over a fire,
straining it as they went to create a sweeter,
cleaner maple syrup.
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As the years passed, the maple sugaring process
became even more advanced.
Brace and bits and power augers replaced
traditional tapping methods.
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Spiles were made out of metal
and plastic bags sometimes replaced buckets.
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Sugar houses were built to cook down the maple
sap into maple syrup.
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Evaporating pans replaced fires and kettles,
allowing the temperature of the sap to be closely
watched.
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After being cooked and graded, the syrup is
poured into bottles to be sold around the world.
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Maple syrup can also be used to make a lot of
different, tasty treats that people all over the
world enjoy!
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Lets review
Evaporating pan?
What is a
Tap?
Spile?
Auger?
Brace and bit?
Sap?
Yoke?
Sugar House?
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Now you know what to look for on our field trip,
when we explore Geauga Countys Maple Sugaring
tradition at Swine Creek in Middlefield.