Those of us who live in the northeast tend to have a sweet tooth and we can blame it or be thankful for nature. One of the trees that grows in the region is the Maple tree which is known for its leaves turning color in the fall. In relationship to the sweet tooth, it was discovered many years ago, before the buds change to leaves, the tree is dormant and when the temperature climbs up in the day time and freezes at night, the sap will run and it is possible to make maple products including syrup. The book The Maple Sugar Book written by Helen and Scott Nearing of Galahad Books, New York City, 1950 outlines the history and the tasks involving Maple Sugar. The tasks involve boring a hole in the tree putting in a sprout and attaching a pail. Then when the sap is running, to collect the sap and boil it down to become syrup or liquid gold. Up until 1865, the producers of the north-east dominated the sweets market, then sugar from cane came along and prices fell for sugar. The first choice of the population was sugar unless the family lived on a farm in the northeast where maple syrup was made.

In the old days, families collected the sap, deposited in larger container which the horses pulled to the sugar house and the sap is boiled. Now days, it is much easier to do the operation with plastic pipelines to bring the sap to the sugar house. If you wish to do sugaring on a smaller level, all you need is some maple trees and remember the kettle should be about 3 times  the size of a batch. Gather the sap and boil and soon you will enjoy the syrup. For many farmers, the land around the maple trees is used for raising cattle in the summer; but in late February early March when the sap is running, the syrup can be made for home use and as a cash crop.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, with maple trees as long as the farmer treats his trees well, they will provide sap for many years to come. Ideally you invest that way, the return will provide dividends over many years as well as capital gains as profitable companies are worth more to everyone and trade at higher multiples.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.