Maple, ON TAP

On February 22, in the quiet before a major winter storm, 36 of us gathered in a small sugar bush along the Woonasquatucket to listen for something subtle: the first drops of sap hitting a bucket.

Our Maple Tapping event with the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council was everything we hope for. Hands in the snow, neighbors meeting neighbors, and trees reminding us that even in February, life is moving.

A Snowy Start and an Amazing Turnout

With parking bans set to go into effect at 3pm and a giant storm rolling in, we did not know what to expect.

We were also grateful to be joined by our partners at Providence Neighborhood Planting Program and Providence Housing Authority. PNPP, we love you and thank you. It is a gift to build traditions alongside such strong community partners.

Why Maple Tapping and Why Now?

As Kuno Haimbodi, Greenway Tree Steward, shared during the program, maple tapping gives us a rare opportunity:

“It’s an activity that we can do during a time of year when we don’t usually get to go outside and interact with trees.”

This is the season for it. You need nights below freezing and days that warm just enough. That temperature shift creates pressure inside the tree allowing sap to move through the vascular system. It is complex and intricate.

Two Trees and Elder Spiles

We chose this part of the Greenway because it is home to some of the oldest, most mature maples in the area. We tapped two trees. We even made our own spiles from elder wood, keeping the practice hands-on from start to finish.

This sugar bush is small enough that we can truly care for it, steward it, improve forest health, and help the trees grow stronger together. Trees that grow in community, like people, are often healthier.

Participants ranged in age and experience. Some came with prior maple knowledge. Many were completely new to tapping. Most were new to this stretch of the Greenway. Folks traveled from all over the watershed to be there.

Receiving the Gift and Giving Back

These gatherings are about more than syrup. They are reminders:

  • Of the gifts trees offer and of our responsibility to care for them in return.
  • The tapping season will last about 4 to 6 weeks. We will keep checking the buckets. Whatever we collect, we will boil. What we receive will be exactly what the trees offer this year.

To everyone who bundled up, showed up, and stood in the snow with us, thank you. You are what makes this watershed feel alive in every season. We cannot wait to see you for the next part of our Maple Tapping series.