When the days are thawing and the nights reclaim the freezing temperatures, the sap begins to rise. And when the sap rises in our maple trees, it does so with enough enthusiasm that it can leak out. The dripping sap will also freeze, and create icicles of frozen liquid. These “maplecicles” have a faint taste of maple syrup.

This week’s warm daytime temperatures signal the beginning of maple sugar season. Maple syrup is the first “harvest” for Michigan, and begins in February. How long the sap will be collectible varies from year to year, but two to four weeks is common, and sometimes the season is longer.

Any maple tree can be tapped, although sugar maples have a more intense sweet flavor. I actually prefer the taste of silvers and others; they have the same maple flavor but less sweet. It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. All that boiling is labor (and energy) intensive. I’ve been using pure sap (not the boiled syrup) all year to make my morning oatmeal. I only actually make about a gallon of syrup.

The sap can also be used to brew tea, make bread, and I’m told it can even make great coffee. The pure sap can be frozen for later use. Locally made maple syrup is readily available in Michigan. The sap is not. You pretty much have to acquire it yourself. Last year I wrote about how to tap a tree.

Nothing could be simpler than spotting and consuming the maple sap icicles. Look for them on maple trees, and if you’re not sure which is a maple, look for the dripping sap. Finding the icicles is just a matter of timing. On your walk to work is perfect, since the sap will often be frozen overnight — a nice, subtle treat.

There is more to the maple tree than maple syrup. Start enjoying it this week.

Linda Diane Feldt is a local Holistic Health Practitioner, herbalist, writer, and teacher. You can follow her on twitter, visit her website, or contact her directly at ldfeldt(at)holisticwisdom.org
The next free Herbal Wisdom Class, taught by Linda Diane and sponsored by The People’s Food Co-op is Thursday February 24, 7-8:30 at Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. The topic is Herbal Allies for Menopause.