rcantor: thanks for the link! I would love to try black walnut syrup.... will keep my eyes out :). Because of the crazy winter people are already starting to tap for maple syrup.

swizzle: Keep us posted on the creating starter plugs or wild mushrooms varieties. I am interested to see if wild varieties require different growing media and incubation periods.



[QUOTE=rcantor][QUOTE=rmulhero]rcantor,
what is the taste difference in comparison to maple syrup? 
[QUOTE=rcantor]You can tap a Black Walnut tree for syrup, just like a Maple.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

Here's a quote from someone who's done it: "The taste... sweet, with the essence of walnut."

I wish I had one but here's all the details in very readable form.  It also has a list of other trees known to be tapable.

http://homestead-honey.com/2014/03/10/beyond-maple-syrup-tapping-black-walnut-trees/

Maple and black walnut trees are tapped at the same time but walnut produces less sap.  Paper birch is tapped later and has less than half the sugar but is supposed to taste great.  Here's the definitive work on the subject

http://www.amazon.com/Sugarmakers-Companion-Integrated-Approach-Producing/dp/1603583971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454395902&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Sugarmaker%E2%80%99s+Companion[/QUOTE]

All the cultivated varieties we have started as wild.