Signs of Spring

Although it may not look or feel like it outside, spring is near! We learned today about one sign of spring: maple trees begin to develop sap.

Let's take a closer look at how nature is changing along with the seasons...

Bundled up, we hiked out into the woods along the Sugar Shack Trail. 

In small groups, we walked deep into the woods to see exactly how sap flows from maple trees. 

                                      

Small holes are drilled into maple trees. Spouts are put into the holes at an angle to help the sap flow downward into a bucket. About 160 maple trees are tapped throughout Stratford Ecological Center.

           

Next, we made a stop at the Sugar Shack to see (and smell) how the sap is made into maple syrup.

                                   

The sap is made into syrup by cooking on an evaporator which is powered by a wood-burning fire. 

                                         

The sap must cook on the evaporator until it reaches a certain temperature, color and consistency.

                               

We then got to taste the maple syrup... 

But not without first thanking the maple trees for giving us such sweet syrup! 

                                          

Sugaring Time 

From Winter Eyes by Douglas Florian

When winter's thaw

Has just begun, 

The maple sap

Begins to run.

Up the tree 

And out the spout

Into a bucket 

The sap drips out. 

Two horses haul it

From the grove

To where it's boiled 

On a stove. 

Then from a faucet 

To a kettle. 

The syrup quickly

Heats the metal. 

But when it cools, 

After a while, 

You pour it on 

Your pancake pile. 

The work is done. 

It's time to eat. 

Sugaring time 

Is surely sweet.

How sweet the signs of spring are! We are looking forward to seeing even more signs that tell us spring is near.