Sap to Syrup: PreK's Tree Tapping Adventures

Prior to February Break, the PreK class embarked on our third annual tree tapping project at Fresh Pond Reservation! We roamed beyond Black’s Nook and over to the “big pond” to a cluster of maple trees. We met with Ranger Tim, who told us about the distinctions among living, dead, and non-living things and demonstrated the process of how trees transport sugar and water internally. We inserted taps into two maple trees and attached buckets under to catch the sap as it began to flow. We have continued to visit our maples several times a week to thank the trees for the sap they give us and to bring the new collection back to school.

 

This PreK tapping tradition helps further our connection to the land by working with the resources that exist in this familiar place, and helping us practice care and stewardship. In addition, this project offers opportunities to learn about the history of maple sugaring and the practices of indigenous people who have long been honing this process! Given the ongoing warm weather, the sap collection period is likely nearing the end and we will begin the next step: boiling down the sap to make maple syrup! Although the final syrup yield will be quite modest (at a conversion rate of 1:40), we nonetheless look forward to tasting and enjoying it as a class.

 

If you’re headed out for walk around the Fresh Pond loop over the next week, feel free to stop and check on our buckets along the edge of the path beside the golf course near Black’s Nook!