Outdoors

Tap into the making of maple syrup at Appleton Farms

The North Shore farm celebrates sugaring season with family-friendly workshops and more.

1 minute to read

Whether you are an avid New England homesteader or just want to connect with nature in a new way, tapping maple trees to produce syrup is a sweet life skill.

This winter, learn all about the process while having fun with the family at Appleton Farms. The North Shore destination, one of the country’s oldest continuously operated farms and a dynamic property of The Trustees, hosts hands-on maple sugaring workshops every weekend from Feb. 19 through March 27. Each two-hour session introduces the tools of maple sugaring, and lets participants try their hands at tapping trees amidst the snowy, rolling hills of Appleton Farms.

From maple sugar tree identification to boiling sap, a knowledgeable educator from The Trustees will lead each two-hour session. Prepare to be outside for the majority of the workshop, to hear a folksy story or two, and, of course, expect to sample maple syrup.

This family-friendly maple sugaring program is offered both Saturday and Sunday throughout maple sugaring season, with sessions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. You can also sign up for a Maple Stroll at Appleton Farms each weekend through March. If you’re interested in the history and science of maple sugaring but not so much in tapping trees, you can also attend a free presentation on weekend afternoons throughout the season.