Tapping in Quebec 2011

[70 Buick]

Just wondering around what time of the year does it start?
last year was our first & we were very late only caught the last couple of weeks
don't want to miss a second this year

I bet it was running last Saturday around us went from -5 tp + 6 during the day LOL

[BryanEx]

70 Buick... I'm halfway between Montreal and Ottawa and I start watching the daily weather forecasts at the beginning of March with the second to third week being typical to set my taps. I will mention that my taps can all be done the same day so I don't need to work ahead like larger producers.

[70 Buick]

Very nice setup you have there BryanEx
My country place isn't too far from you then LOL
I am about 40 km north of Hawksbury in Quebec, Harrington County

[Gary E]

Hello Folks,

Last year I Tapped at the end of Feb,and had a good run on the forth of March. Last year was also my first year so it was all very exciting for me...

I guess Mother Nature is the judge ,we just have to be ready.. Located near Buckingham Quebec.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1094/4132218/22649715/384227028.jpg


All the Best, Gary

[Yellzee]

I'm a fair bit west of you guys, but i'm aiming for the end of Feb for tapping.

alot of pipework to get done before then though... stop the snow and extreme cold for a bit will ya

[Teuchtar]

Gary
Thats a fantastic sap flow for 215 taps. Something about L'Outaouais maples we haven't caught on to yet ?

[70 Buick]

Wow I think we will be the last ones to get going !!

I get jealous reading all these guys getting syrup already
I was looking at the long range forecast & it doesn't look good for any sap to run for at least 2 more weeks

[KenWP]

Pretty cold here also.Been watching the boss's family to see when they get any thing and they haven't got finished tapping yet. Not to worried as she who must be obeyed is on strike this year for higher wages.

[Gary E]

Got my taps in 210 I think , finished today around 2:30 snow up to my knees . Wow what a chore my two titanium hips told me it was time to quit yesterday:cry:. Tried Snow Shoes but just didn’t work out !!!!!fell down a few times frontward , backwards, sideways ,said to hell with it and threw them..... Anyway I am happy now , just playing the waiting game. Nothing moving here yet.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1094/4132218/22649715/395544189.jpg

Cheers ,
Gary

[70 Buick]

Kind of depressing
they were announcing plus 5 all weekend

all we got was another 2ft of snow!!!
with another 35cm to come this week!!!

I don't even see any good weather on the horizon
I am getting real jealous watching everyone else make syrup

[Ausable]

Kind of depressing
they were announcing plus 5 all weekend

all we got was another 2ft of snow!!!
with another 35cm to come this week!!!

I don't even see any good weather on the horizon
I am getting real jealous watching everyone else make syrup

LOL --- 70 Buick -- As they say "Misery likes Company". You have plenty of company and I"m one of them. Nothing here either -- I might have 3 or 4 gallons frozen in the pails on the trees. One of my Sons - about 80 miles South of me was getting sap yesterday - but neither of us today. Might have to do a water boil so I don't forget how. We are supposed to get above freezing here for about 5 days -- however - I have to see it first.. LOL -- Be patient (I tell myself) it will happen soon..........I Hope...... Mike

[KenWP]

I haven't had the gumption to even bother wading out to the trees in the yard to tap.This is only my 3rd March in Quebec and the first with snowfall.She who has to be obeyed says I am spoiled with winters between Alberta and the last two years. Just as well as I never get home from work much before dark anymore. Will keep watch on the boss's operation and see when they get going.

[70 Buick]

I put out about 20 taps last weekend all the ones near the house
I can do alot more but everytime I look at the 3-4 feet of snow out there I just can't get myself going
shopping for snowshoes as I am typing on Craigslist LOL
never needed them before

[CBOYER]

Buy snow shoe asap, you will need them nearly each year in Qc.
After you make your run 1 or 2 times, snow will crust an make a nice trail.
it would help you also for your waist after eating all those pancakes and waffle whit so much Maple syrup..:o

[KenWP]

We got so much snow today I am standing looking down on 6 foot posts in the yard. Had to get a tractor to plow out the yard today as it would be may before I got out to go to work.

[70 Buick]

I hear you Ken
here in Montreal we got about 30 cm
but down your way I hear about 50 :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[CBOYER]

Here up we are at over 80 cm. just finish open trail to the cabane, but i dont know why?? we maybe tap branches at top this year:o

[70 Buick]

I picked up 3 pairs of snowshoes for 40.00 on CL
a steal from the other prices I seen

never stops eh, they are announcing 15 cm again tomorrow night :mad:

[KenWP]

I would rather wade thru snow then wear racketts on on my feet.I keep falling over in them and can't back up.
Finally ploughed the road to work today so I didn't have to fight snow banks.Keeping watch on the trees at work to see if they start anytime soon.

[KenWP]

Drilled a hole today and not a drop yet.Just have to wait like every other year. Last year they started fast and ended fast and the year before that took till April till I got much sap. Just as well as the snow collapsed the sugar house roof anyways. Was a leantoo with plastic so nothing drastic except all the wood is burried in 5 feet of snow.

[CBOYER]

woohoo, im very surprised!!
after cleaning pan and prepared a lot of small things in the cabane, i cannot resist to tap a tree close by.. sap is dripping, so i run to put snowshoes, and finally tap 40 on buckets, every one located downhill drips!!
we still have at least 4 ft of snowin wood, im located high elevation (1650ft),
but the next week temps preview seems good.
:D

[70 Buick]

I also got a few drops this weekend , not alot but it is a start
weather looks good for this week a few days at plus 6

[KenWP]

Glad I am not the only one.I cheked again today and not a drop.Par for the course as I am allways slow here. Will chcek the trees at work tomorrow and see if they got any on vacuum.

[CBOYER]

Make the tour and collect 35 lts of sap. all drippings except 6 of thems. Tomorrow suppose to be too cold around here, but after promise. i think i will tap the remaining 60 tomorrow.

[CBOYER]

Tap count is at 100, scratch right eye whit a branch, i need to clean this wood, to much trees and branches everywhere, a job to do at end of season.
Collect 30 liters sap from trees downhill.

[KenWP]

Yippe I got a cup of sap today.Even being cold but sunny the tree dripped some what. Will tap the rest during the week and then figure out how to boil someday. Wading thru 4 feet of snow sucks.

[BryanEx]

Collect 30 liters sap from trees downhill.
I must be doing it wrong... I collect sap uphill in both directions. :lol:

[CBOYER]

ok BryanEx, tell me where in Dunvegan you got a Hill ??? this area is flat as the great plains!!:mrgreen:
Collect 90 liters today, looks better for tomorrow.

[70 Buick]

Still not much happening where I am about 30 km north of Lachute
a small place called Fawn Lake
drove up to check today, everything runs to 6 gallon pails
I have about 2 inches in the bottom of each one
supposed to be 8 degrees for the next two days so hopefully when I check Saturday morning they will be full

I picked up 3 pairs of snowshoes on CL the wood ones with catgut, 40.00 for the 3 pairs

they work really well, only tripped once on them, I should have listened to Ken, I tried to back up LOL

[KenWP]

I tapped a few more trees today and some were running somewhat. See what tomorrow brings.

[CBOYER]

Collect a litle 30 liters today, temps was cloudy and near 0.
Never try to go back whit snow shoes, you will finish whit head in snow, and its not easy to get up after. Only good thing, not to much people see you making a fool in sugarbush:lol:

[70 Buick]

I have a question for you guys

what the hell is a swamp Maple?, never heard of it in a book

[KenWP]

Seems to be a red maple around here.As reds tend to grow where it is wetter then the real erable maple does.

[CBOYER]

When i was in St-Anicet Qc, i tap silver maple in swamp back of my home, i have to wear waders to collect sap, 60 to 70 to 1 to make syrup, but real swamp maple is red maple.

[PerryW]

A swamp maple is also a red maple in my neck of the woods. Acer Rubrum.

[70 Buick]

Thanks guys
I had just never heard the term till I started reading here

[CBOYER]

i was'nt home, wife collect 130 liters tonight; Why those trees give more sap when she make the run :rolleyes:??

[70 Buick]

Wow now your set

tell her it's her JOB now LOL

[CBOYER]

First boil today, sweeten the pan to +3 deg F. Dont collect sap tonight, heavy wind all day, rain, little snow preview for this night.

[KenWP]

Trees seem to be running around here.Was cold enough some never thawed out and some started and then froze up.I have a tree running that has never ran before even.Stopped by the sugar shack at work and he is doing okay.Has boiled since last friday and made over 200 gallons so far off of 2700 taps. He still uses galvinized barrels and such for storage.

[CBOYER]

Collect sap from yesterday and today, some buckets on sunny side overflowed:cry: about 200 liters. will boil again tommorow, producing my first 2011 syrup.

[CBOYER]

Boil 4 hours today. lots of friends at the cabane, perfect weather. collect 120liters sap, but no syrup end boil at 6.5deg. Hopefully for the kids, have some syrup left from 2010 to make Tire sur la neige..:D

[BryanEx]

CBOYER... Quebec has a quota system for maple syrup, yes? What you produce, is it for friends and family or can small producers compete in Quebec?

- Bryan

[CBOYER]

In Québec, private producer can make direct sales to consumer
Maximum size of containers is 5 liters or 5 kg.
You need a Quota to sell sap, ro treated sap and bulk syrup.
any sell to a retailer must be related to a quota.
i personally up now never sale syrup, maybe this year??

[70 Buick]

well got a bit of sap from the nice days on Thursday & Friday
about 25 gaLLONS
Boiled for 4.5 hours & ended up with about 3 litres of syrup, a nice light colour too

Doubt we will get any sap this week, was -10 saturday night & Sunday never got out of the minus, getting 15 cm of snow today & the rest of the week looks too cold in the Laurentians

the following week looks good though

[CBOYER]

Make 5 liters yesterday morning, everything is frozen till monday...Meteo forecast not so good, have to wait up to next thursday io have up temps:(

[Bernard]

Hi, I'm from Rimouski, we have a snowstorm here today. Heavy snow and strong wind and it's cold, -10 cel. I will give a rest to my maple trees this year, a friend of mine who have 625 taps, have a call to return to the work. I will take care of his sugarbush, for the season. The forecast is better in half of the next week . Hope the sap run. Bernard in Québec

[heus]

Are any of you guys close to Angliers in NW Quebec?

[CBOYER]

Are any of you guys close to Angliers in NW Quebec?

I'm not close, about a 12 hours drive from home, but i have a hunting/fishing camp in Laniel, Temiscaming that is 45 miles south on road 101 fron Angliers in Qc. Hunt Moose there for 10 yrs, (9 in 10 result!), fish Walleye in Teniscaming Lake.

I will probably sold it this spring, since i have another place in north of Lac-St-Jean that is closer, only 7 1/2 hour drive..

[KenWP]

That is one thing I miss in Quebec is going hunting.The course dosn't seem to exsist in english to get a license.I could probbablt challenge the test in french but the course would drive me around the bend. I have deer in my yard and they are safe so far.

[70 Buick]

ken look for the course in Montreal, they have it English here
It is usually a Saturday so you could make the drive

got 80 gallons of ice blocks this weekend , what the hell do I do with that??

[CBOYER]

there is a course in english at your door, in Fitch bay 2011-05-29
819-572-8404

[KenWP]

Fitch Bay is a long drive for me has to be all of 8 miles to get there. Will phone and see if I can get into it. Merci

[heus]

I'm not close, about a 12 hours drive from home, but i have a hunting/fishing camp in Laniel, Temiscaming that is 45 miles south on road 101 fron Angliers in Qc. Hunt Moose there for 10 yrs, (9 in 10 result!), fish Walleye in Teniscaming Lake.

I will probably sold it this spring, since i have another place in north of Lac-St-Jean that is closer, only 7 1/2 hour drive..

I go walleye fishing at Lac da Quinze every summer. I think its part of the same water system as Temiscaming (Ottawa River) Angliers is an 11-12 hour drive from my place in NE Ohio. There are a few sugar makers up there but very small operations.

[KenWP]

Last year was the first time I had the courage and the skills to go buy a fishing license finally.My lodge freind has 4 cabins on memremagog or how every you spell it and I can fish at any of them. I spent the first 50 plus years of my life reading about people catching sunfish,bass and perch and catfish and finally got to do it myself.She who has to be obeyed deepfryed the fillets for me and they were great.
I also had one tree run somewhat today.It had a icicle going from the tap to the bottom of the bucket and kept dripping down it.Looked neat to see.

[Gary E]

Have done about 14 gal so far and two batches of Butter. A few hundred gal of Sap in the Tank, waiting for the next run to Boil soooon I hope.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1094/4132218/22649715/395946597.jpg
cooled to 70 deg then into Machine

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1094/4132218/22649715/395946598.jpg
Transformation taking place...:)

As far as Fishing and Hunting,that is my Real Job starting to get the Aircraft ready for ice out now, ice out is usually Mid May at our Base.

http://www.quebecfishingtrips.com/

All the Best !

[CBOYER]

Hey Gary E, my new hunting camp is 30 km north of Lac Margane, base for air Saguenay. see Hydroplane every day over me there.

Heus, as you can see, Qc is big, it is longer for me to go in Temiscaming than you from Ohio!!
Where are you in Ohio? Some years ago, my work bring me sometimes in Chardon at Eltech Co..

[heus]

CBOYER,
Im about 35 miles east of Chardon close to the Pennsylvania border. Chardon is the sugarmaking capital of Ohio.

[KenWP]

Who knows when it's going to warm up around here. Maybe Wens now.

When I drove across Canada to get here in 2007 I could not believe how big Ontario was.Took me longer the cross it then the 3 prairie provinces. Then I had to drive thru Montreal to get to Ayer's Cliff. LOL My second trip across Canada when I moved here myself was shorter by 400kms.

[KenWP]

The trees almost gave sap today.Slow but sure going to get enough to boil yet.

[CBOYER]

make the tour tonight, only 35 ltrs from 100 taps...Tomorrow the real start :rolleyes:

[70 Buick]

I don't know what it was like at my cottage, (35km north of Lachute)

But damm it was nice here in Montreal, almost Tee shirt weather

hoping for pails of sap LOL

[CBOYER]

84 liters from 100 taps today. Crazy meteo call for 8 inches of snow in mountain area where i am ..never ending winter supose to be spring ?

3226

taken at 4h00 today

[KenWP]

Snowed here all day and some trees still ran .Slowly getting enough sap to make boiling worth while. Got the evaporator going for a couple of hours last night just to empty some space.

[70 Buick]

we did pretty good this weekend
we got more than 35 gallons of sap
& boy were they running when I left today

Too bad I twisted my ankle yesterday so I did not boil today (Sunday) too bad it was gorgeous , what a waste
well with the new barrel evap I set a new record for us anyways , wife was real happy

started the fire at 10 am. we were finished bottling at 5:30

total 6 litres!!! a nice amber colour

i love my new baby

[KenWP]

Trees hardley ran today but it did not freeze last night.Got most of my sap boiled off today and made a couple of gallons of syrup. Because of the higher sugar content this year the syrup is lighter and tastes different then past years.Will see how it makes butter and sugar.

[CBOYER]

Freeze hard last night here, tree start at 11h00 to drip collect 100 liters of sap this afternoon. Nice sunny day but heavy winds stop tree dripping after
4h00. Will boil tomorrow.

[CBOYER]

Collect iced bucket this morning, snow and windy again...
Boiled all sap and ice this afternoon, make 2 1/2 Gal. syrup.
Completely Crazy meteo call for temps going up to +11c this night, and
cold again tomorrow max +3c, rain and SNOW...:razz:

[KenWP]

According to the thermometer it didn't freeze here last night but the trees did not to bad today.Go figure. Is only 3 degrees here right now and they say it's supposed to be 9 degrees. if the weather man says it is raining I go look for myself lately.

[KenWP]

Okay I have had enough snow and winter to last a lifetime.Trees ran last night and stopped today.We need a actual frost now.
This weather has given me a migraine for two days now.Not much getting done except me complaining.

[CBOYER]

good night run, collect 150 litres this morning. snow all day, 2" more on ground, nothing drip today...do they have sugar maple in Yukon? maybe the weather is better there...

[70 Buick]

It should be good the next few days
Tonight wednesday -5 tomorrow +12!!supposed to be like that every day till Sunday !!!:D

[KenWP]

Stupid weather is weird here.Some trees ran well and some didn't give a drop.I found it cold but with the sun things did okay.Even the stupid skunks are wierd around here.I was poking one in the head with a gun barrel on the back step trying to get it to go out away from the house so I could shoot it.All it did was snap at me.Then it left and came back to tick me off again. Skunk 3 now me zero.

[CBOYER]

Collect 140 litres of sap today, boiled all i have, make another 10 liters of syrup. Good freeze tonight, +10c tomorrow, still have 2ft snow on ground everywhere.

[KenWP]

Trees ran well today again.Tomorrow will be a busy day boiling off all my sap .The forecast is for no freezes here for the next week or so so will probbably end by Sunday.At least I have my winters supply made.
The CO-OP had lots of supplies left this year so I would guess it has been a lack luster season so far as by this time any other year they are sold out of everything.

[CBOYER]

collect 120 litres this morning, trees ran a little this afternoon, freeze preview (-2c) for tonight. Will collect and boil tomorrow morning.

[KenWP]

Never froze here last night but did get to zero and the trees did semi okay.Some did better then others.I boiled all day and made another couple of gallons of syrup and then boiled enough to have the pans ready for tomorrow.Still have about 90 gallons left to boil.
Tonight will be pretty warm and no frost forecast for a while so probbably finished pretty soon.Some trees won't last a week with out budding out.

[70 Buick]

What a crappy year, it was too cold last week & now it looks like it is too hot!!!

I have about 70 gallons of sap for next weekend, and I doubt we will get any sap this week looking at the forecast

did alright this weekend though, made about 2 gallons on Saturday, and a gallon & a half today

[CBOYER]

collect 120 litres sap, trees never give more, no overflowing buckets this year. Boilled another 4 hours, make 10 liters syrup this afternoon.
Visit new building of Milan's Mayor, 22,000 taps operation. 6x16 oil fired evap, and all tanks, pumps, R.O. 4 big interior bassin, 20 fts height ceilings. very different of my setup...

[KenWP]

Okay how do you keep sap for a week. Not a drop of sap today here and yesterday was a slow day with no frost friday night. Probbably the end as no frost forecast for over a week .

[70 Buick]

well my barrels are in the shade burried in ice
not to mention they were frozen solid last week so they are about half ice now

we only go up on the weekends so my sap is always a week old LOL

[KenWP]

Pouring rain here now.The season was okay just very short.Trees haven't budded yet and it is to warm already.No frogs yet as they would need coats to survive the snow on the ground.

[ennismaple]

Pouring rain here now.The season was okay just very short.Trees haven't budded yet and it is to warm already.No frogs yet as they would need coats to survive the snow on the ground.

I knew we were done when I almost stepped on a leopard frog Saturday night when I went out to get more evaporator wood! The peepers sure were out in force!!!

[Gary E]

My second year and am very pleased, learned allot made some different product, and mother nature was good to us. We finished up flushing all the lines and cleaning everything today. Have to thank an old Friend from B.C who came out to help, we had a great time and seen all the Museums in Ottawa and Old Montreal, during the Cold Period that came threw during the Season.:)
Final Tally 71 gallons mostly in cans, also did some cases of Jars to marvel at the color, did two batches of Maple Butter & candy. The average Sap was 3% sugar and dropped to 2.2 at the end last Friday and Sat. The Color stayed a very pleasing Amber. Headed Up North tomorrow for my real job, best of luck to all. :D

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1094/4132218/22649715/396201077.jpg

Cheers,
Gary

[KenWP]

Took just two days of heat and my big trees budded out in force.All I have left is the woods maples and they never do much. Owell next year. That or do birch syrup for a couple of days to make a liter for my moms freind.

[CBOYER]

collect only 80 litres of sap last 2 days. Crazy Meteo rides again.. next 7 nights freezing temps, and some 10 cm snow in mountain area..:confused:

[KenWP]

Supposed to get cold tonight and we will see what it brings tomorrow.Strating to feel like Theron.

[70 Buick]

Same here Ken, it was supposed to be above zero for the next 2 weeks now they are saying -12 tonight & -7 Friday night , so might get a run

[KenWP]

Was to cold today to thaw things out again.maybe tomorrow.Spent my night making porkchops instead.

[CBOYER]

collect some sap, 50 liters, most have icesicle on spouts.

[70 Buick]

had a decent few days of running , I boiled on Saturday we got about 2.5 gallons (12 litres )

I still have about 60 gallons of sap but don't know if I can get back there this week, if not guess I'll be dumping

[KenWP]

I am almost caught up now.Have no idea if it's over or not.Trees ran a bit today and then stopped. I had a couple of trees that actully over flowed for a change.

[CBOYER]

Got a good run sunday,180 litres, best run this year, make 2 more gallons syrup. Heavy snow sunday night, cold on monday. maybe 4 more days good this week..

[Teuchtar]

What ?? 15 cm snow forecast tonight ?
There better be a run before the end of the week.
I want one last good run before I call it quits this weekend.

[KenWP]

Weird weather if you ask me.I doubt if I will get much more around here.

[CBOYER]

Crazy run... 450 litres of sap today, overflowing buckets, clear sap, like a fresh start! :)

Boil this afternoon, make 3 more gallons, freezing at 8H00, still heard "ting, ting" outside when i close shack. Looks like another run tomorrow..

[70 Buick]

What a crazy spring for weather, I was ready to shut it all down 2 weeks ago, looks like I will get another 2 weekends of boiling LOL

[CBOYER]

Snow this morning, collect 70 litres sap from night run, ice rain after..
Snow again tomorow, could be good friday and saturday.

[CBOYER]

Good run, 480 litres of sap today, boiled 10 litres of syrup more. suppose to freeze one last night:rolleyes:

[BryanEx]

14 x 16 Cabane à sucre
2 x 5 Cantin evaporator

CBOYER, how do you like a 14 x 16 cabane for the size of your evaporator? Do you suggest this size or would a little smaller be okay as well?

[70 Buick]

Wow what a strange year
Figured I would run up to the cottage & boil off my last 30 gallons yesterday
arrived to find everything frozen & white LOL
then it shot up to 10 degrees , so I boiled off my 30 gallons made 8 litres of sap
and collected another 55 gallons of sap, hope I can get back up this Tuesday

[CBOYER]

Hi BryanEx, Size Give me plenty of place, have counters, a big propane stove to cook/finnish, table and chairs for helping peoples, and some inside drywood. This is also the limit size (20 M2) in Qc for a "forest shelter" whit no taxes.
3456

[KenWP]

See another sugar maker with a beard.Has to be a rule or something.I need to make some kind of shelter also this summer.Between plastic and cold I get rained on all day and night boiling. Should be done tonight as trees are budding and no frost in site now.Time to maybe plant a garden LOL

[CBOYER]

collect and boiled another 2 gallons of syrup today..14 days forecast is no freeze at all, lots of rain in next days. i think it will be last boil tomorrow.:cry:

[CBOYER]

Make last run this morning, collect 50 litres cloudy sap, boiled all i have, empty reserve barrel, empty pans, finnish on propane stove.
Make 13 litre of syrup today.

Total for this year is 95.5 litres syrup from 3345 litres sap.
it is twice production from last year.
Ratio 35:1, about the same of last year.
Now the fun begin...Cleaning and storing, in french "Cabanner"
(put thing back in the shack).

[70 Buick]

Guess I am done, no buds on any trees that I could see anywhere but all my 30 gallons of sap smelled sour a bit, it was cloudy but not stringy

I threw it all out

glad I had put about 15 gallons in the fridge as a backup plan, otherwise it was an hour & a half of driving for not
we boiled it down got almost 2 litres and called it a season
Pretty proud of my homemade barrel & file cabinet setup, it was our 2nd year, last year we made 7.5 litres and were dam proud, this year final total 14.5 gallons