DIY Maple Syrup? Think Twice Before Tapping Missoula’s Trees—Here’s Why

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Montana, a lot of people started to become more self-sufficient. When produce shelves in grocery stores were empty, a lot of people planted their own gardens.

A lot of people that started baking their own bread because it was hard to find bread in stores. Then it became difficult to find yeast to bake your own bread.

Today you can find produce and bread in the stores, but the price has gone up so much that people are once again trying to become more self-sufficient. The record high cost of eggs has encouraged people to think about raising their own chickens. Murdoch's Ranch and Supply Stores currently has their "Chick Days" underway.

With conversations about tariffs in the news, there is some uncertainty about prices on certain items. Once again it is an opportunity for people to become more self-sufficient. There is one product that the city of Missoula is warning people not try to make themselves, especially using the city's trees. That would be maple syrup.

The city is warning residents that, although it may be tempting, tapping the city's maple trees for their syrup is not only illegal but can also harm the trees. According to a press release from Missoula Parks and Recreation, tapping an already stressed tree not only 'depletes its natural energy reserves, it also creates and entry point for disease and decay'.

There are a lot of trees that some people may think are on private property, but are actually part of the cities trees. If you have any questions about any of these trees, you can contact the Urban Forestry Division at 406-552-6253 or you can email them at citytrees@ci.missoula.mt.us.