Sugarmaker

Just wondering what the situation is with tapping the maple trees. Seems like sap would be running with this warm weather even though it is pretty early. I will swear the grass around here is growing a bit and is greener than usual for January. Some weeds have definitely come alive and the leftover lettuce in the garden looks healthy too.

Folks,

I know there are other sugarmakers on here. Will be interesting to see how their season starts too.

Sound like Mike has sap already from the silver maple! We need some pictures too!

I have heard that folks in Missouri have tapped. There season starts sooner due to warmer weather and locations.

Others making syrup give us a update too.

If you have maples and have never made syrup its a good time to start. There is a good forum dedicated to maple syrup production. www.mapletrader.com

The maple season feels like it could have started day before yesterday here in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

We are only 15 miles south of Lake Erie and the temps were 71 degrees F! I am sure if the trees would have been tapped they would have run pretty good. But the temps dropped 40 degrees over night and are around freezing, just cold enough to stop the trees from running.

Normally we try to tap the big roadside maples in early to mid February. But in recent years the season start (weather) seems to be getting a little earlier. Its a gamble tapping early. Ok it is like farming, its a gamble when ever you tap.

Most of the work is several days of stringing tubing, equivalent to putting up 30 strings of Christmas lights! Then tapping is done in two days. I dont work real hard at either. No rush, just keep moving along. Our operation is only 600 taps so I can do it all if needed but usually drag a friend or family member along to help.

The season is typically 6 weeks. With the average being 16 runs of sap in those 6 weeks. Too cold and it stops, too warm and it stops. The weather forecasting helps determine when most folks tap. Also just getting your stuff ready is the other factor.

Most of my system stuff is ready. Just cleaning tanks and hanging tubing in the next few weeks. If I can get away from orange projects! Anyone is welcome to stop in if in the area.

Since I have made improvements in my arch it will be interesting to see if it boils any different.

Keep boiling!

Regards,

Chris

Edited by Sugarmaker - 13 Jan 2020 at 8:42am

D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet.

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ac hunter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 05 Jan 2011 Location: OHIO Points: 948	Post Options Post Reply Quote ac hunter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Sugarmaker Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 7:29am
	Just wondering what the situation is with tapping the maple trees. Seems like sap would be running with this warm weather even though it is pretty early. I will swear the grass around here is growing a bit and is greener than usual for January. Some weeds have definitely come alive and the leftover lettuce in the garden looks healthy too.

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IBWD MIke Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Location: Newton Ia. Points: 3455	Post Options Post Reply Quote IBWD MIke Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 7:38am
	I'm not sure what's happening in Pa. but here in Iowa the sap came pouring out of a silver maple I trimmed the other day.

Sugarmaker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jul 2013 Location: Albion PA Points: 8168	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sugarmaker Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 8:37am
	Folks, I know there are other sugarmakers on here. Will be interesting to see how their season starts too. Sound like Mike has sap already from the silver maple! We need some pictures too! I have heard that folks in Missouri have tapped. There season starts sooner due to warmer weather and locations. Others making syrup give us a update too. If you have maples and have never made syrup its a good time to start. There is a good forum dedicated to maple syrup production. www.mapletrader.com The maple season feels like it could have started day before yesterday here in Northwestern Pennsylvania. We are only 15 miles south of Lake Erie and the temps were 71 degrees F! I am sure if the trees would have been tapped they would have run pretty good. But the temps dropped 40 degrees over night and are around freezing, just cold enough to stop the trees from running. Normally we try to tap the big roadside maples in early to mid February. But in recent years the season start (weather) seems to be getting a little earlier. Its a gamble tapping early. Ok it is like farming, its a gamble when ever you tap. Most of the work is several days of stringing tubing, equivalent to putting up 30 strings of Christmas lights! Then tapping is done in two days. I dont work real hard at either. No rush, just keep moving along. Our operation is only 600 taps so I can do it all if needed but usually drag a friend or family member along to help. The season is typically 6 weeks. With the average being 16 runs of sap in those 6 weeks. Too cold and it stops, too warm and it stops. The weather forecasting helps determine when most folks tap. Also just getting your stuff ready is the other factor. Most of my system stuff is ready. Just cleaning tanks and hanging tubing in the next few weeks. If I can get away from orange projects! Anyone is welcome to stop in if in the area. Since I have made improvements in my arch it will be interesting to see if it boils any different. Keep boiling! Regards, Chris Edited by Sugarmaker - 13 Jan 2020 at 8:42am
	D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet.