Tree Tapping & Sugaring Basics

Tree Tapping + Sugaring Basics 

Saturday, February 3, 2024.  11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

$50.00 per person ;  $75.00 per family (up to 4 humans)

Have you ever wondered if you can tap that maple tree in your back yard?  Bundle up and join local herbalist, arborist, and maple sugarer Alex Klein for a walk around the WFCF farm area perimeter to scope out the maple trees and learn to analyze a woodland area's potential as a sugarbush. Participants will learn to identify various species of maple present on the land and learn to assess a tree's suitability for tapping to extract sweet sap.

When we get too cold, our discussion will move indoors to the Learning Garden Cottage for a tasting and talk about sugaring basics with some warm drinks sweetened with New England's finest natural sugar. Walk and talk will explore the cultural and historic significance of sugaring in areas of New England during pre- and post- colonization periods, and will explore more modern techniques and equipment necessary to extract sap and make maple syrup at home.

All participants will recieve a coupon for 10% off all sugaring supplies purchased at Waltham Agway (Waltham Farm & Home) to help empower your own sugaring adventures this season and beyond! (1 coupon per ticket. Family tickets receive one coupon for the whole family). 

More About Guest Instructor, Alex Klein:

Hi, I'm Alex Klein, intermediary between people and plants. After beginning my career as a landscaper in Boston and New York, my desire to connect to nature more meaningfully changed my perspective on plants from something mostly aesthetic to something directly useful to me and the people around me. I have since botanized and wildcrafted up and down the East Coast, getting to know the flora of the region and their uses as food and medicine. Along the way, I trained as a clinical herbalist at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine and the Ithaca Free Clinic, where I apprenticed under 7Song. My passion for herbal medicine led me to do herbal First Aid, volunteering my time at Asheville Street Feet, a free Foot Clinic for those in need, and at various wilderness gatherings. I currently practice as an herbalist in Boston, striving to use in my practice mostly plants I have gathered myself or grown in my garden. I will be running a small group, in-person Monthly Herbalism Program in 2024, and am currently accepting students. To learn more about what I do, check out my website.

This program will take place outdoors with warmed, indoor areas available for those who need a break from the cold. Please dress in warm layers to remain comfortable outdoors for up to 45 to 55 minutes at a time. More information will be shared with those who register. 

Cancellation & Refund Policy  Cancellations made 21 days or more in advance of the start date will receive a full refund minus a $35 administrative fee. Cancellations made between 14 and 20 days in advance will receive a 50% refund minus a $35 administrative fee. Cancellations made within 13 days or less of the start date are non-refundable. Waltham Fields Community Farm reserves the right to change, modify and/or cancel program dates at our discretion.