Maple Sugaring

Maple sugaring has been a spring tradition among Native Americans since inhabiting the land. As the weather warms up and the nights are below freezing, it is time to begin the two week period of collecting sap from stands of maple trees. Sap is collected during this period because it begins to flow in the trees and you can get the largest amount to make syrup and sugar. Traditionally, several families would have rights to a particular area of maple trees called their "sugarbush." They would collect the sap, make the maple syrup and sugar products together. After the sap is collected, the group would boil it over a wood fire. By boiling the sap, the excess moisture is removed and the sugars in the sap are condensed down into syrup. Since sugar burns easily, the sap has to be stirred constantly. Generally, the group would set up a camp and take turns tending to the boiling sap. It can actually take between 25 and 75 gallons of raw sap to make just one gallon of finished maple syrup!
To find out more information about Maple Sugaring, visit these sites:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - EEK!
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/trees/maplesyrup.htm

Milwaukee Public Museum
www.mpm.edu/wirp/ICW-183.html

Waswagoning - Recreated Ojibwe Indian Village
www.waswagoning.com/maple_sugar_camp.htm

Milwaukee County Parks -
Maple Sugar Days at Wehr
http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/display/router.asp?docid=12347