Maple syrup sticky issue for Ohio councilman

[March 18, 2011]  TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio city councilman who prides himself on being a back-to-the-land type has a sticky problem.

Steven Steel tapped a century-old maple tree in front of his Toledo home and collected enough sap for two gallons of syrup. But The Blade newspaper reports the tree is owned by the city, and a neighbor complained. Officials reminded Steel on Wednesday that Toledo law requires citizens to get approval from the city's forestry department before they can do anything to a tree. Steel says he went home and removed the taps and buckets right away. Besides making their own maple syrup, he and his family keep chickens to lay eggs, collect honey from a beehive and make their own soap. ___ Information from: The Blade, http://www.toledoblade.com/ [Associated Press] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.