sugar test?

[Oregon sugar bush]

How do you do a sugar test? We have been tapping for 30 years..some years are better then others. We have the freezing nights and warm days right now, but I am thinking we should still wait until Feb. We we are in Oregon and have sugar maples that are 55 years old.

[Ausable]

Just use a hydrometer to check the sugar in solution in Your sap. The Hydrometer would have to be scaled for it and the weighted end would be quite light compared to a syrup hydrometer. I plan to wait for the normal tapping time in my area - which is about 01 March ---- even though the weather says tap - tap - tap. Every time I get anxious and jump the gun - we go into a hard freeze and my sap total for the year is low. Ha! So be patient and tap when you always do.

[Ausable]

By the way Oregon - I see this is your first post and you joined Maple Trader recently - Hey - Welcome aboard - Hope You have a great year - whenever you decide to tap........

[Oregon sugar bush]

Thank you!

[Oregon sugar bush]

What is the sugar percentage you like to see?

[Ausable]

What is the sugar percentage you like to see?

Hello again - I have Sugar Maples and a couple of Black Maples and they normally are about 3%. Has been as low as 1 !/2% and as high as 3 1/2% when I check and varies some from tree to tree. I know other trees in the Maple Family can run lower. I'm just a backyarder and give the Syrup to Family anbd Friends - so - I don't have a profit motivation - just curious. I'll boil it at 1/2% if thats all I have --- LOL

[spencer11]

I use a hydrometer. An my back up Is a candy thermometer. The hydrometer I think is the most accurate. Is it?

Spencer

[Oregon sugar bush]

I will look for a sap hydrometer...have one for syrup, but measuring the sugar content in sap would be interesting.

[danno]

I love my refractometer from ebay for testing sugar content in sap. Only about $50. You'll want one with a 0-10 scale. And you only need a drop or two of sap to test sugar. Wished I loved the sugar content of my woods as much as I love my refractometer;)

[Starting Small]

For you guys with refractometers, do you put a small hole in a tree, test the concentration and then if it is good tap? Or do you just tap and check the whole collection at one time at the collection tank? I guess I am wondering if you use it for curiosity's sake or if it effects your management and timing?