Did you know that the United States produced around 4.2 million gallons1 of maple syrup in 2023?
While maple syrup is a beloved breakfast staple, most people don’t know that 27 different tree species can be tapped to make syrup, not just the well-known sugar maple. This means you may have a syrup-producing tree right in your backyard.
You might be surprised to discover the variety of trees that can be tapped for syrup. Here’s 23 of these tappable trees and the delicious possibilities waiting to be discovered.
1. Sugar Maple: The Syrup Superstar
Sugar maples are the most popular choice for syrup production due to their high sugar content and long tapping season. The syrup has a classic, rich maple flavor that’s perfect for pancakes, waffles, and more.
2. Black Maple: A Close Cousin
Black maples are similar to sugar maples in terms of sugar content and syrup yield. The syrup has a slightly darker color and a robust maple taste.
3. Red Maple: Tart & Tasty
Red maples produce a high volume of sap, but their tapping season is shorter than sugar maples. The resulting syrup has a slightly tart flavor that adds an interesting twist to recipes.
4. Silver Maple: Short but Sweet
Like red maples, silver maples have a brief tapping window due to early spring budding. However, the syrup is deliciously sweet with a light amber color.
5. Norway Maple: Buttery Goodness
Norway maple syrup is less sweet than other maple syrups, but it boasts a smooth, buttery flavor. These trees can be found in pockets of the U.S., making them an accessible option for some.
6. Boxelder: A Maple Family Member
Boxelders are part of the maple family and can be tapped for syrup. The flavor is slightly different from traditional maple syrup, with hints of butterscotch and citrus.
7. Black Walnut: Rich & Nutty
Black walnut syrup has a long tapping season and produces a rich, dark syrup with a nutty flavor and a slight bitterness. Be sure to filter the sap properly to avoid ending up with walnut jam instead of syrup!
8. Butternut: The White Walnut
Butternut, also known as white walnut, has a sugar content and sap volume similar to sugar maples. The syrup has a delicate, nutty flavor that complements a variety of dishes.
9. English Walnut: A Grocery Store Staple
The walnuts we buy at the store come from English walnut trees, which can also be tapped for syrup. However, they require especially cold winter and spring temperatures for successful tapping.
10. Heartnut: Small but Mighty
Heartnut trees have a good sugar concentration in their sap but produce less sap overall compared to maples. The syrup has a unique, slightly sweet flavor.
11. Paper Birch: Antioxidant-Rich
Paper birch sap contains more minerals and antioxidants than sugar maple sap, but it has a lower sugar content. The syrup has a distinctive, slightly spicy flavor.
12. Yellow Birch: Golden Goodness
Yellow birch sap also boasts a higher mineral and antioxidant content than sugar maples, with a lower sugar concentration. The syrup has a golden hue and a mild, sweet taste.
13. Sycamore: Caramel Vanilla Notes
Sycamore trees produce a syrup with hints of caramel and vanilla. While not as well-known as maple syrup, sycamore syrup is a delicious alternative waiting to be discovered.
14. Bigleaf Maple: A Pacific Northwest Treat
Bigleaf maples are tapped for syrup in the Pacific Northwest, from Alaska to California. The syrup has a flavor profile similar to sugar maple syrup.
15. Rocky Mountain Maple: A Native American Tradition
The Plateau Native Americans have a history of making syrup from Rocky Mountain maples, which are found in western North America. The syrup has a distinct, regional flavor.
16. Gorosoe: A Japanese Delight
Gorosoe, a maple species native to Japan, can be tapped for syrup. The syrup has a unique flavor profile that reflects its Asian origins.
17. Sweetgum: Butterscotch Bliss
Sweetgum trees produce a quality syrup with a hint of butterscotch, although they have a lower sap-to-heartwood ratio compared to other tappable trees.
18. Palm: A Hawaiian Surprise
While not technically a tree, palm “trees” can be tapped for syrup in Hawaii. The syrup is made by boiling down the liquid collected from the palm flower and has a delightful, honey-like sweetness.
19. Shagbark Hickory: Bark-Derived Bliss
Shagbark hickory syrup is made by boiling down an extract from the tree’s bark, rather than tapping the trunk. The syrup has a distinct, smoky flavor that’s perfect for savory dishes.
20. Tulip Poplar: Toasted Treat
Like shagbark hickory syrup, tulip poplar syrup is made by boiling down toasted pieces of the tree’s bark. The resulting syrup has a unique, earthy flavor that adds depth to recipes.
21. Alder: A Pacific Northwest Gem
Alder trees, commonly found in the Pacific Northwest, can be tapped for syrup. The syrup has a light, delicate flavor with hints of vanilla and caramel.
22. Basswood: Honey-Like Sweetness
Basswood trees, also known as linden trees, produce a syrup with a honey-like sweetness and a light floral aroma. The sap has a lower sugar content than maple, but the unique flavor is worth the extra effort.
23. Ironwood: A Rare Treat
Ironwood trees, also called hop-hornbeam, can be tapped for syrup, although they are less commonly used than other species. The syrup has a distinct, slightly bitter flavor that pairs well with savory dishes.
Source:
1. Statista
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.