AAA… An Awesome Autumn!
Our amazing
2014 autumn season is fading here in Southeastern Wisconsin, but the scene was
quite awesome for the past two months.
Many claim their favorite season of the year is AUTUMN, and fall of 2014
was an affirmation of that claim: lovely
leaves on our trees…crisp cool days…an abundance of sunshine!
Our autumn
experience is enhanced by the Sugar Maple tree, adorned with fiery fall colors
(I photographed this foliage at a nearby botanical garden). Wisconsin
selected the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
as our State tree years ago; the visual display every autumn is reason
enough to be chosen, but this species also provides shade during summer, and a
special treat in early spring: maple syrup!
Delicious maple
syrup sap is acquired by tapping into the sugary liquid within the tree’s trunk. In cold climates, trees store starches
(carbohydrates) within their root systems over winter. When warmer days of springtime arrive, the
xylem layer within each tree conducts water, nutrients and carbohydrates from
the root system, to the top of the tree. This xylem sap is extracted and will
be transformed into maple syrup, which is naturally rich in the sugar, sucrose.
To
achieve just one gallon of this “sweet gold,” FORTY GALLONS of watery liquid
must be simmered to evaporate the water component; this reduction method yields
just ONE GALLON of syrup. Maple syrup is traditionally
used to enhance waffles, pancakes and oatmeal; however, it has additional
culinary applications. Often chefs and creative cooks incorporate a touch of
maple syrup in their savory dishes; it adds a delightful flavor component to
the dish!
A colleague
of mine, Horticulturist Brian Karth of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, participates in
the maple “sugaring off” ritual each spring.
He thoroughly enjoys the process
and demonstrates proper techniques to others.
Centuries ago maple syrup was collected and used by our Native Americans,
who also shared their techniques with the European settlers who arrived
here. Maple syrup is just one more reason to be
thankful on Thanksgiving Day. Our
Thanksgiving holiday is the unofficial
conclusion of autumn… and this year, it was an awesome autumn!
M. Lynn
Schmid, Certified Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture
