1 of 2.

Spruce syrup - sooooo good! In the western states, we don't have sugar maples, but we do have spruce ;)

Usually in May, sometimes into June (like this year) the spruce tips are growing. Spruce and redwood grow at the tips of their leafy/needle branches. If you pick those little growing tips in the spring, the tree will never grow there again. So sustainable and ethical harvesting needs to be done so you don't damage a tree for life...

But we have several trees that will be cut down shortly (must be done, wish it were otherwise). So we are harvesting all the tips we can before they are cut down. I usually harvest enough each year to make our spruce syrup, but this year it looks like we will have gallons of it.

Spruce syrup is very good for you, filled with minerals and heavy on Vit C. If you cook it, the vitamin content is destroyed but the minerals are still left - and you can can it for long term storage use.

Will explain how to make it in 2/2.