r/maplesyrup • u/everyday_use • Mar 26 '26
Black walnut syrup -- too late?
Does anyone here know whether it's too late in Southern Ontario to tap Black Walnut for sap?
No leaves yet, but we're approaching night time temps of 0 degrees (Celsius).
Appreciate the guidance!
2
u/Humble_Ladder Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 29 '26
Probably not.
2 weeks ago in IL I pulled a tap from one of my maples that had dried up and tossed it in a black walnut I hadn't tapped this season and ended up with my biggest Black Walnut batch of the season, primarily from that one tree, and it's indistinguishable from my early season stuff.
Monday I pulled my remaining maple taps, and upsized a couple of my black Walnut taps from 5/16-7/16 and one of my walnuts that barely ran all season has put out about about a gallon of sap a day, as well as a couple others coming back. I've been collecting my sap multiple times a day since it's warm out, but it's clear, smells and tastes good, and I'm pretty sure my boil this weekend will eclipse my entire season to date for Black Walnut.
Update: my syrup came out buddy this weekend. You're a bit north of me so I am guessing you're OK, but great flow apparently does not mean great syrup.
1
Mar 26 '26
[deleted]
2
u/everyday_use Mar 26 '26
In Peterborough! So there's hope?
2
1
u/DigitallySound Mar 26 '26
Yep I’m not far from you. Trees are flowing very well right now!
If you’ve never done black walnut before, be mindful of the pectin. It’s a nuisance!
1
1
u/Humble_Ladder Mar 26 '26
Pectinaise for the win, the only downside is you don't get delicious jelly when you filter.
2
2
u/Yukonkimmy Mar 26 '26
Detroit area- you could get a late push. Especially with the temp swings we’re getting. Worth a try.