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