St. Lawrence County

[Michael Greer]

It's nice to see a bit of freezing weather. Maybe this season will start all over on a more normal date. I've got 70 buckets to hang tomorrow at a new stand, which is going to put all the rest of my gear to the test.

[Joust7.1]

I'm hoping to finish tapping on Sunday. I needed a few cold days to finish getting a few things lined up. It looks like the next two weeks are looking promising, starting on Monday. Bring on the sap!

[Michael Greer]

I've made 40 gallons so far. Tomorrow and Monday will give a chance to do a bit of cleaning and maintenance before the next run. Maybe I'll get some lighter syrup next week.

[Michael Greer]

35 degrees and cloudy today and not a drop of sap. That's OK with me as I had an emergency repair to make. All is ready for whatever happens.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

No sap at all yesterday, ran slow today the first of it was cloudy as the slush scoured out the lines. Nice and clear now and looks to run all night. Lots of limbs on lines from the big wind when the cold front moved in, but the vacuum is back up now.

[Michael Greer]

That wind was really something. The power went off twice. There were big booms as tree-fall took down wires, and the sirens went off half a dozen times. The windows rattled, the doors banged, and the trees outside sounded like a train passing through. I managed to make 5 gallons before dinner though.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Yes, our vacuum dropped from 26 to 20 in a half hour. Lots of big limbs and a couple trees down. I think we will chase with water as it looks like no sap for a week.

[Michael Greer]

That's a good thought. I gathered in about sixty gallons after throwing out the ice. It was hardly worth going out but I didn't want to leave it in the buckets for a week.

[Michael Greer]

Made nearly 5 gallons from what was in the back pan. Hand feeding the syrup pan is a tedious job that really makes me appreciate those float valves. When I was done I filled the whole rig with water and boiled it hard. I'm all cleaned up and ready when it comes around again. I'll have to think about what else I should do this week. I'm sure there's something I've been ignoring for the past few weeks.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

We did the same, it is satisfying to boil it all in and get it clean for a fresh start. I think it's a form of resolution (the absence of which fosters a sense of uneasiness) which is something we all look for.

[Michael Greer]

I'm looking at the weather forecast (like everyone else) this morning and I don't see any sugaring weather except maybe Tuesday(21st) I did a lot of cleaning but I never expected a break this long...Heck, I might forget the recipe!

[Michael Greer]

The forecast is a little bit better with temperatures a bit above freezing 3/18 through 3/21. If it's sunny we'll see some sap. I've got one stand that's totally snowed in.

[Michael Greer]

We've had two tepid runs in the mid afternoon this weekend. I gathered in enough to sweeten the rig and maybe make a gallon or two. The weather looks sort of promising over the next two days, with a warm night between that could possibly yield something to get excited about...maybe.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Nothing here Saturday, a little this afternoon, froze up now. Perhaps tomorrow?

[Joust7.1]

I've collected well under a gallon/tap over the last two days. It took so long for things to get going then once the sun went down it went to < 30* lickety split. However, each day during the late afternoon the sap was racing out of the trees for a short period of time. Just expected it would have made for a larger yield overall. The upcoming days look very promising though.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

A very slow tease, started thawing with a slow run about 2:00 and about 6:00 the last few mains thawed and everything was froze again by 7:00 -- perhaps tomorrow.

[Milton]

When is it time to pull taps? This is my first year with tapping and have had good results from trees in my yard. Taps in since late February. It still looks like good freeze/thaw weather.

Thanks

[Michael Greer]

Last year the season ended about the 15th of April, but one would be a fool to try and predict.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

When is it time to pull taps? This is my first year with tapping and have had good results from trees in my yard. Taps in since late February. It still looks like good freeze/thaw weather.

Thanks

If you have buckets they will either dry up or the sap will be of poor quality and yield buddy syrup but it's true the cold is our friend right now.

[Michael Greer]

Gathered in enough to keep me busy all day tomorrow...but when will I gather if I'm busy all day...hmmm.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

A slow run, we made a little over 50 gallons but the pump is on and it looks to continue through the night. Hopefully another boil tomorrow.

[georgelineman]

Pulled taps today its over Orange County NY 12.5 gal syrup 891 gal sap from 70 taps cleaning up.
george

[Michael Greer]

George, By my calculation, that's a 71:1 ratio. Is that true??

[Michael Greer]

40 degrees today, 25 tonight, and 42 tomorrow sounds pretty perfect to me. Brace yourselves!

[Sunday Rock Maple]

It does look good, and it was good to see the stars again. We need some sun on the tree trunks to break out with a good solid run, the last three days have been steady but slow.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Been running slow but steady since the lines unthawed about 1:00 Thursday. We've made about 150 gallons since then and the releaser is still dumping at about 4 minute intervals. Lost a lot of snow but still have enough to keep things cool and the forecast looks good. This is why we do what we do!

[Michael Greer]

I was surprised to find the trees running today...it only got down to about 32 degrees last night. The weather forecast makes me think tomorrow is the last day. I don't see any freezing weather for a week.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Froze here last night and ran good but started late, pump is still on but should freeze tonight.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Congratulations to Michael Greer. Just featured on North Country Public Radio.

[Michael Greer]

Thanks. They did a great job of making a mischievous old fart sound like a pleasant fellow. eh?

[Sunday Rock Maple]

There is a link on NCN to some great pictures!

[Michael Greer]

The young man who did the interview was familiar with sugaring back home in Syracuse, and had been working in a friend's sugarhouse just the weekend before.

[Michael Greer]

We're all through here in Potsdam. I made three gallons of very dark today with what came out of the flue pan. It's dark, but nicely transparent, smells and tastes good. I made 125 gallons for the season.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

We were grade B on color tonight but good flavor with a carmel aspect to it

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Slush in the releaser at 10:00 so we shut down the pump for the first time since Sunday noon. Two inches of snow tonight looks really Christmassy out there.

[MT Pockets Producer]

We drained and finished what we we had in the pans yesterday and our final tally was 95 gallons. Our goal was 100 so we are pleased considering the crazy weather patterns and the fact that we did not run our usual amount of buckets. The only very dark syrup was the last 7-8 gallons that we had to batch cook to finish up so we are happy with that. Had a life changing experience this season by introducing an RO to the operation. Going to start pulling taps and cleaning up equipment today.

[Michael Greer]

I imagine you'll get a couple more days in South Colton being just a bit cooler than Potsdam. I'm pulling taps today and finding trees still running. It feels like maybe I pulled the plug a little early, but it's hard to keep sap quality where it should be when it's above 50 degrees.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Yes, a strong run today starting about noon and froze tonight at 9:00 with a clear sky.

[Michael Greer]

Our local public radio station just posted another maple syrup article on their web page NCPR.org Some great photos of the old times, but I especially like the one of the fellow tapping with a backpack mounted gas engine rig.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Another strong run today (14th in a row) but low sugar and cloudy sap. The peepers peepeth and so we'll see if we can process it tomorrow.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Day 15 the sap is 1.3 and cloudy to the point that we have to change the filters to rinse the TO but it's staying in the pan and going through the press. Tomorrow?

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Ran the last raw sap in yesterday. Getting pretty rank so we pulled the plug. Brian, looks like the forecast has a couple more freezes for you later this week if you can hang on. Good luck!

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Day 16. Turned the pump off (somewhere a fat lady is singing) we will try and chase with water tomorrow to top off a barrel and then put the RO to bed.

[Michael Greer]

It's taken three days to wash the tanks and all those buckets. The pans are full of water and vinegar for a while to loosen the mineral deposit. I'm gonna pull everything out of the evaporator room and scrub floors next warm day we get. Time for firewood!

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Consider an RO to 8 percent and use 1/4 the wood. Perhaps it would fit well with your recent growth?

[Michael Greer]

I've considered it, but it comes down to who I want to work for... If I buy an RO, I spend all my profit for the next year to make that manufacturer rich, but not me. If I hire the kid down the street to help out, I make a local teenager rich. My wood costs me very little and I don't get paid for my time no matter which way I go, so maybe I should spend my money down the street and pass on the craft to the next generation.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Understood, that's why we stayed with buckets as long as we did, but (with apologies to Mr Young) there comes a time.......

[cncaboose]

We had our best season ever with .41 gallons per tap, all with gravity tubing and buckets. We made 267 gallons when our previous high was 192. The 3/16" tubing carried us as the 280 buckets were marginal on many days. Tapped about 2/20 with first boil a couple of days later and last boil was 4/8. Almost all syrup was amber, running the full range of almost golden to almost dark, until the last 2 days when it got dark. I think that the icebergs in the tanks kept the sap really fresh through the season even though they were a hassle to deal with. Sold 9000+ gallons of sap too.

[georgelineman]

Pulled taps today its over Orange County NY 12.5 gal syrup 891 gal sap from 70 taps cleaning up.
george

yes was not that good this year.
George

[Michael Greer]

Well, here we are again. The 2018 season is about to begin and as always there is the weather watching and wondering when it all begins. It was 40 degrees last night,(Feb 14th) and we'll see a warmish day again today with rain predicted, so that may just wake the trees. I have been in the sugarhouse all week installing some new equipment and getting everything ready. Who's tapping and who's waiting?

[Mikemartin274]

If the forecast holds true I'm tapping this weekend. Monday Tuesday we should see a decent run. Got two test taps out and the roadside trickled today, sugarbush still frozen. I'd rather be tapped and miss late season sap than not be tapped and miss early sap. Hoping to find someone to educate me on vacuum for next season I'll trade labor for knowledge. Going gravity this year was proud of myself seeing that mainline up.

[wildwood]

1/2gal of sap per tap on 3/16 tubing past two days in a row, not running heavy but running. Froze up around 11am today but ran all night up to that point. Scrambling around getting everything together still (hobby producer). The mail never runs as slow as when you are waiting on new maple gear!

[phil-t]

New setup for me and my hobby project. Leader Half-Pint and 60 taps - taps going in tomorrow - next week is looking promissing. My trees are all huge, out in my open yard - looking good. :)

[Mikemartin274]

I don't know about waiting on the mail. Whenever I go to buy sugaring supplies their on the shelf.

Congratulations on the half pint. You'll have alot of fun with it. 60 taps will more than supply it.

Going to be a great weekend.

[Michael Greer]

Tapped the first 115 this afternoon, (2/17) and found about 10% running. I'll get the rest out tomorrow and I bet they'll all be running by tomorrow afternoon. Training a new minion this year, which is always a hoot. Sometimes you just have to enjoy teaching, and just let go of efficiency for a few days. I'll all be OK.

[wildwood]

I don't know about waiting on the mail. Whenever I go to buy sugaring supplies their on the shelf.



This year I am moving away from hauling sap in a truck tank and bought a gas powered pump on the internet. Going to pump up the hill to the shack. Everything I can I get at Mack Maple btwn Canton and Potsdam, they are good folks. New guy in there yesterday getting worked over pretty good :)

[Sunday Rock Maple]

We're about half way done, very nice walking in the woods this year.

[Joust7.1]

New setup for me and my hobby project. Leader Half-Pint and 60 taps - taps going in tomorrow - next week is looking promissing. My trees are all huge, out in my open yard - looking good. :)

Bet you get some high sugar out of those trees. Best of luck on your "hobby" project.

[Joust7.1]

Went to rinse out my pans yesterday afternoon and sprung a leak. Water all over and coming out the bottom of the evaporator near the stack. Pulled the pan this morning when I had better light to see what happened and found a slit cracked along the length of the drop flue's drain tube. Anyone know where I can get it repaired locally and quickly? Not how I wanted to start the season.

[Michael Greer]

Perhaps a job for Tom Todd at MKS in Norwood.

[Mikemartin274]

Try hebel welding in rensallear falls. It's run by tweetie bird now. Not sure how fast but money always talks. I've had several jobs done there and was satisfied. Hoping you make the best of a terrible situation.

[Michael Greer]

Brought in almost 400 gallons of sap this afternoon (2/21). looks like a good days worth of cooking tomorrow. I don't ever remember the season starting off with such a bang.

[Michael Greer]

Made 5.75 gallons of dark syrup yesterday. That 60 degree weather starts things off with a bang but it's hard to maintain sap quality.Tomorrow will make much prettier syrup. I'm going out to hang 40 more buckets this morning.

[phil-t]

Collected 80gal. of sap last 2 days. Started up my new to me 1/2 pint and ended with about 7 gal. of sweet stuff in the pan. Averaged about 6gal./hr. boil rate. Next collection and boil should produce some syrup.
Edit ---- collected another 40 gal of sap this noon. Got my first 1 1/2 gal of syrup. Nice. The next several days are looking like really good for sap production.

[Michael Greer]

Yes, I find that it takes about 100 gallons to get that first gallon of syrup...probably even more on a bigger rig.

[maple flats]

A split along the drain tube sounds like it might be freeze damage. Make sure that tube is dry before it can freeze.

[Mikemartin274]

Sap ran slow all weekend. Ended up with 50 gallons of sap. Tested everything as that thread on leaking pan had me wondering. All worked well. Got 3/4 of gallon a golden syrup. Sap ran hard last night collected 100 gallons this morning. How is everyone else doing? Alot of the people around me aren't tapped yet.

[phil-t]

62 taps, 86 gal. of sap in 24 hours ending at 4 today. I have produced my first 3 gal. of syrup since Friday last week. Got to do something about a hobby RO and get my boil times and wood burning down some. Been looking, hard, at the RO Bucket device. Maybe build one.

[Michael Greer]

Brought in 610 gallons of sap from 500 buckets. Managed to get through half of it this afternoon and will finish in the morning. Tonight and tomorrow looks like fantastic weather and I could end up with more than I can put in my tanks. That's when we rely on the truck to hold 170 gallons and the buckets to hold 500 more. Oh well, It's what we all wish for.

[Michael Greer]

I made 11 gallons out of that 600 which seems to indicate that my sugar content is way down compared to other seasons. Oh well. I ran right out and gathered another 600 gallons. If I have to boil away 50 gallons to get one of syrup, the price is going to have to go up!

[Sunday Rock Maple]

I made 11 gallons out of that 600 which seems to indicate that my sugar content is way down compared to other seasons. Oh well. I ran right out and gathered another 600 gallons. If I have to boil away 50 gallons to get one of syrup, the price is going to have to go up!

Or perhaps there is an RO in your future.....

[Michael Greer]

If I buy an RO my price will definitely go up.

[phil-t]

My trees have been "sleeping" since yesterday AM. We are getting some weather today with colder nights and some sun coming the next two days - I'm sure they will "wake" up. :cool:

[Michael Greer]

I used that down time yesterday to clean tanks and re-arrange everything in the sugarhouse. While reversing the flow direction in the flue pan, I discovered that one of those little plugs had fallen out meaning that I had no control over the direction of the gradient last week. That probably explains the somewhat erratic production and those odd long waits. I expect I'll get a grade lighter syrup tomorrow.

[Michael Greer]

I gathered yesterday and threw out the ice as I went. I tested that tank when we got back to the sugarhouse and was pleased to find sap a full percentage point higher than what I've been dealing with this season. Should be a pleasing morning of cooking.

[MT Pockets Producer]

Seriously struggling to get a good grade this season. Seems to be more sludge/mud in the filters than we have ever seen. Lots of dark syrup. Anyone else seeing the same thing? Still tastes really good though.

[Michael Greer]

I've made a lot of darker syrup this year. I'm also seeing lower than usual sugar percentages so it makes sense that if I have to cook more sap it's going to end up darker. I'm gonna feel the pinch at the end of the season when my wood-shed runs out.

[Michael Greer]

Here we are 21 days into the season and half my wood is gone. It may work out just right at the end, but I started the season thinking I had a huge surplus.

[Mikemartin274]

I've gotten the lightest syrup ever consistently on my rig. Not sure why. I've burned up almost all my wood. Still say it's been a success so far.

[wildwood]

I've gotten the lightest syrup ever consistently on my rig. Not sure why. I've burned up almost all my wood. Still say it's been a success so far.

Same here, batch boiling on 2x4 flat pan so usually get darker grades but not this year. Incredible niter though filtering is still killing me

[Michael Greer]

Heads up! the temperatures over the next several days are going to give us a bit of a break, but the lows over the weekend are low enough to freeze just about anything. Take precautions.

[phil-t]

For sure. We have seen enough of the "March Lion"; where is the "Lamb"?

[Michael Greer]

I hauled in my 5000th gallon of sap last night, and bottled my 93rd gallon of syrup today. Sugar percentages are slowly improving, but 53:1 a pretty frightful ratio. I pity anyone who invested heavily in a lot of new equipment this year.

[Michael Greer]

It looks like this cold spell will linger. I cleaned everything yesterday, and I've got a load of emergency firewood to process today, but if this goes on, I might have to finish up my taxes.

[phil-t]

Well, I went and pulled all my taps (62) yesterday - this cold is going to last long enough that I will be busy with other stuff. I am satisfied with my first year of production, on my own; 2nd season of getting experience. I learned a lot about the hlaf-pint I bought used last summer and had a good time. Total production was 15 gal. of Amber (I was hoping to do 10) and am looking forward to a few changes and next season, already. :D I do this as a hobby in retirement (no selling, all given away or consumed by myself) Will attempt some cream and suger/candy this week.
This site and the members have been a great help. Thanks to all.

[Michael Greer]

I've got enough wood to cook for five more days. Seems just about right.

[Mikemartin274]

Same here, batch boiling on 2x4 flat pan so usually get darker grades but not this year. Incredible niter though filtering is still killing me

If you're having trouble filtering let it cool sit overnight and finish next day or whenever it will all settle to the bottom pour it back in the finishing pan finish then filter much much easier.

[wildwood]

I am already doing that, just awful still :) the last cone filter was brand new and only got 1.5gal through before it would not pass anything at all, using 5x prefilters. I suspect continuous flow would help some? Filter press top of upgrade list.

Kudos for the blaster sap hauler, mine is not running but remember it was not great in the snow..

Sap running great again here (boiling now)but have some reds on the tubing runs and they were pushing buds days ago so as per last couple years this syrup is for the house and "experimintin"

[Michael Greer]

I put 12 pre-filters into the big one and remove them as they begin to clog. I can get through 10 to 12 gallons with that.

[Mikemartin274]

Yeah my filters are getting plugged now too. It's some nasty stuff. The forecast looks good this week but I'm scared of buddy syrup and don't want to lose the sweet. Going to pull taps this weekend. How long are you going?

[Milton]

I wouldn't pull taps yet we are getting freeze thaw nearly every day for the ten day forecast. Just made some and has a nice dark amer color. I make batch amounts and have had luck doing an initial filter with 2 or 3 paper cone filters right off the evap at pre syrup. I then filter through Orlon with 5 pre filters. Remove top filter when it slows. Comes out crystal clear

[Michael Greer]

I have filtered a huge amount of gunk out of the syrup this year, but I'll blame it on the low sugar content. Clearly there's more stuff to filter out 60 gallons of sap than there is in 35 gallons. I'm running out of wood, and today's run ought to be nice sap to finish up with. After that I'm looking for someone to take sap to if it runs again.

[Michael Greer]

It was good and cold two nights ago and the next day's warmth lasted through the night. This morning it looks like a lot of nice sap and the temperature is about 33 degrees. I've got enough wood for another day or so, and then I'll be looking for someone who would like the sap from the next several days until it ends.

[Milton]

Interesting that you are getting low sugar. Mine has averaged 3 percent with mostly yard trees.

[Michael Greer]

The sugar levels have improved over the last couple weeks to a high of 3.25% but the year started out at 2% and I went through a lot of wood in early March. Most years in the past I have enjoyed 3.5% for the entire season so I was a bit surprised.

[Michael Greer]

Where are you located Milton? I'm in the Village of Potsdam.

[Michael Greer]

Cooked everything I had today and tomorrow I'll drain the flue pan and fill it with water. Hand feeding that last few gallons always goes faster than I think it will. I had to steal from the house firewood for tomorrow's session and my woodshed will be as clean as a whistle. I've already figured out how to get about four more cords of wood in there for next year.

[MapleMill]

Michael Greer are you still looking for a home for your sap? I’m located in chase mills.

[Michael Greer]

Sorry but's been spoken for just this afternoon. I finished up cooking today and started the cleaning process, and now it looks like four more days of perfect weather. Next year there will be more firewood.

[MT Pockets Producer]

Finished our last boil tonight. We could stick it out a little longer and gain a few more gallons but it is time to move on to other projects. Started the season in 50 degree weather making some of the darkest syrup we have ever made and finished the season in a snow storm with syrup that graded at the high end of robust,nearly amber. Had a fair amount of Amber in between as well. We don't have an exact tally yet but we are probably somewhere in the 80 plus gallon range. It's a little shy of the past few years but we didn't hang any buckets this year which normally would give us another several gallons. All in all we are satisfied with the season. Time to clean things up and start planning for next season.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Still going but heard the peepers today.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Still going but heard the peepers today.

We heard the peepers today too. Still going but not running much. Probably throw in the towel tomorrow or Monday.

[Michael Greer]

So here we are, July 11th and it is dry, dry, dry here in Potsdam. I've used up all my rain barrels and have been watering the garden with the hose for two weeks now. I don't see any signs of stress in the trees yet, but it can't be far off. Our last drought was only three years ago, and it takes at least that long for the trees to recover. I hope this doesn't become our new normal or we might have to find a new hobby.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Both drought and pestilence (forest caterpillars), keep a lookout for orcs with axes next.

[Michael Greer]

Or firemen with axes and bulldozers. The fire in Altona is sure a wake-up call.

[Michael Greer]

It's 35 degrees and raining in Potsdam and the maples are dripping from every broken twig. I'm suprised because it's been ten below here for several days. I wouldn't have thought the trees could thaw that fast.

[MT Pockets Producer]

Is everyone waiting as impatiently as we are for this season to happen.

[phil-t]

Did 28 gal. of 3%, from the 29 taps I had in, this past Saturday/Sunday. Concentrated it to 3 gal. and froze it for the next run - when ever that might happen.

[MT Pockets Producer]

That seems good. We chose to for go tapping for the short run with the extended forecast the way it looks. We probably would have gotten enough to just sweeten our pans and then have to worry about keeping things from freezing. We have done that in the past. Easy enough to draw off and store in a barrel but a real PIA thawing the barrel to get it back in the evaporator.

[Michael Greer]

Not tapping yet in Potsdam. It's minus 9 degrees this morning, which is cold enough to freeze and break anything. The ten-day forecast never goes above freezing, but there's a nice fire in my workshop. Keep warm.

[Michael Greer]

It's only 16 degrees today here in Potsdam, but the forecast looks good. Sunday the 10th looks like a good, warm day, and then again a few days later. I've been tapping for two days and have about half of them done. I've got one more tank to wash and I'm ready to go,

[MT Pockets Producer]

We are close too. We will be finishing things up in the woods on Friday and hoping for the best. Good luck all.

[Michael Greer]

****! It's cold out there! I've tapped many trees in 25 to 30 degree weather, and enjoyed the workout, but today's breeze chilled me to the bone. Tomorrow looks to be a nice day in the woods.

[MT Pockets Producer]

Well we fired the pumps up today. We didn’t get a lot of sap but it gave us a chance to work the bugs out and repair a few leaks. Looking forward to some better runs. It was certainly a nice day in the woods though.

[Michael Greer]

First day of cooking went well and I was pleased to see my sugar content at 3%....twice as much as last year. That will save a lot of fuel.

[Milton]

Not time til tap until the rivers flood. Just happened a few days ago. I think it's a late year and it's going to get busy soon.

[Michael Greer]

My old timer always said "You tap when the water runs in the street." I watch the weather page and it looks like a couple cold days followed by three good running days. Here we go.

[river runner]

Hope so because my trees for most part are not doing much in Lisbon. Hard maples getting a little but reds and silvers not so hot on buckets. Next week and week after look great. Cooked some down last night but barely enough to begin. Felt good to see the steam roll out of the cupola in my new shack regardless. Have 100 tapped, maybe 20 sugars and rest are reds and silvers.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Our first boil yesterday, sap tested 2.7 and we ended up with 99 gallons of AR. Woke up to 15" of fresh snow this morning --- the woods is always special but today was just beautiful.

[Michael Greer]

What a perfect day! The buckets froze yesterday, but it warmed up enough to thaw them just enough. I threw out the ice and brought home 440 gallons of sap at 4.5%. Tomorrow is gonna be a fine day in the shed.

[Michael Greer]

Sorry, that was 480 gallons and it gave me 14.75 gallons of syrup. Boy if would only do that every day.

[Mikemartin274]

I did 30 gallons today. First of the year. . Nobody ever knows when the season will end. I usually stop when the bugs come out. I've always been done by April 10th. Next week looks great. But weathermen are unpredictable. Keep doing what you are doing and hope for the best. Way I look at it is if you get one day of boiling and one drop of syrup while having fun it was worth it. Why I'll never be for profit. Good luck mate!

[Michael Greer]

I've had some amazing big runs this week, and plenty of boiling to do again tomorrow. My sap is coming in at 4% so production is high.

[MT Pockets Producer]

It has shaped up to be good season for us considering the late start. Looks like another couple of freezing nights ahead and then things may be getting close to the end. We should end up above what we did last year. All in all we are happy at this point. I hope the same for everyone else. Sugar has gone down to 1.4 today.

[Michael Greer]

I'm seeing one more cold night, and then it's warm for several days. This could be it. I'll be short of last year's total but it was an easy year. High sugar content sure makes a difference.

[phil-t]

Ended my season tonight. Pulled my taps at noon today and just finished boiling all the sap I had. Small operation this year - 27 taps and 12-3/4 gallons of syrup. Had a great year, all my family and friends are enjoying the sweet stuff from my hobby.
My half-pint pan is in a vinegar soak right now. Clean-up day tomorrow and Monday.

[Michael Greer]

I've got one more tank to boil through tomorrow morning and then drain and boil the rest tomorrow afternoon. Over the last few days we watched the sugar content drop from 4% down to 3% and on down to 2.5% this morning. There's one more cold night coming, but I'm done. Made almost 100 gallons of beautiful syrup, filled all my orders, an nobody got hurt. That's a success.

[MT Pockets Producer]

We called it a season here today also. We have given up trying to figure out why things happen the way they do. Our first few gallons today were well into robust and the rest of it finished just into Amber. Other years we have struggled for good grade at the end. It’s a crazy sport. We should be around 90 gallons by the time we finish what we have in the pans. Our sugar was 1.5 this morning.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Sap at one percent,hopefully this freeze will recharge the Bush.

[Michael Greer]

OK. Here we are at the beginning of a new season. I'll be out to sweep up the sugarhouse, set up my electricity, and build the pipeline that fills my holding tanks. The weather looks...interesting. Will it be warm enough to begin? or will it be kinda borderline...just not quite warm enough?? Everyone's got the itch, but what does Mother Nature say?

[phil-t]

Tapping my hobby project today - 30 taps, 30 more if I can keep up with them in the sugarhouse (still have not made the "leap" to a hobby RO). I tapped 15 this morning - last hole I drilled was running at 8:30 AM. Looks like we get a few days before things turn cold again.

[MikeC82]

Tapping my hobby project today - 30 taps, 30 more if I can keep up with them in the sugarhouse (still have not made the "leap" to a hobby RO). I tapped 15 this morning - last hole I drilled was running at 8:30 AM. Looks like we get a few days before things turn cold again.


Hi Phil,
We are about a mile north of prescott, ontario. So, depending on how close you are to Ogdensburg, we are probably pretty close to one another. We also started tapping yesterday - but into the afternoon. Put in about 80 buckets - will add 40-60 more depending on how the flow is. Like you, it was running. It would be interesting to compare how our flows compare this year given we are so close to one another. We've been doing about your numbers last couple years - around 15 gallons finished. We got a new continuous flow fluted evaporator this year, so I am going to try to bring in more sap. We've mostly got red maples - with a few sugars.

Mike

[phil-t]

Hi Phil,
We are about a mile north of prescott, ontario. So, depending on how close you are to Ogdensburg, we are probably pretty close to one another. We also started tapping yesterday - but into the afternoon. Put in about 80 buckets - will add 0-60 more depending on how the flow is. Like you, it was running. It would be interesting to compare how our flows compare this year given we are so close to one another. We've been doing about your numbers last couple years - around 15 gallons finished. We got a new continuous flow fluted evaporator this year, so I am going to try to bring in more sap. We've mostly got red maples - with a few sugars.

Mike

Hi Mike. I am just outside of Ogdensburg, towards Morristown. We are probably 2 or 3 miles apart, as the crow flys:). I have big sugar Maples in my yard, mostly on a decent slope (use 3/16" gravity flow plus pails). Yes, stay in touch.

[Michael Greer]

I tapped the first 130 this afternoon (Feb 24th) and found 90% of them running. What a lovely day to tramp around in the snow. I'll get everything tapped over the next two days and we'll be ready for some weather next week.

[Michael Greer]

We're off to a ragged start with warm days, cold stretches, warm stretches and every sort of confusion. Gathered in my first two tanks today at 3%. There were moths in the buckets on the first gathering, something that we usually don't see until toward the end of the season. If we don't watch out, Climate Change is gonna ruin a good thing.

[MT Pockets Producer]

We brougt in our first haul as well and had our first boil last night. 2.3 and 2.8% in our two woods.

[MT Pockets Producer]

Looks like it’s going to be a banner day tomorrow if the weather people are right!!

[Michael Greer]

I found a Garter Snake warming himself in the leaves on Thursday! In March!!

[Michael Greer]

The weather forecast looks good for a couple more days, and not much more. That a mighty short season.

[MT Pockets Producer]

I agree. Looks like a short season. Hoping for at least one more good boil.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Frogs ain't signing yet

[Sunday Rock Maple]

LOL, perhaps they'll sing before they sign?

[Joust7.1]

I got off to a late start but have much more flexibility in my schedule currently. Hoping for at least one more big run. We are getting big wet snowflakes today and my Grandmother always claimed that was &ldquo;sugar snow&rdquo; when it happened in March. Good luck to everyone!


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[Joust7.1]

Much less sap since the last freeze than expected. Hoping last nights freeze will give us a solid run for the next couple days.


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[Michael Greer]

Well it's 30 degrees this morning, but that's the end of it. No more freezing nights for the next ten days. Clean up will begin on Monday. April is a great month for planting trees. I've got spots picked out for six Sugar Maples around a nearby apartment building.

[MT Pockets Producer]

We had our last boil on Thursday and called it a season. Have to work the weekend and cleanup starts for us on Monday also. Time to concentrate on next winters wood.

[maple flats]

I had my final boil Friday. All that's left is to finish off what's still in the pans. Then comes clean up and flush lines as I pull the taps. Then it's time to do firewood for next year (unless I force myself to convert to oil or propane, a thought in process).

[Milton]

Forecast just changed will get a freeze the 1st & 2nd. Might wait a little longer

[Michael Greer]

Higher elevations might get enough cold, but here in Potsdam we're done. I was a short season, just 27 or 28 days and the sugar content wasn't all that good. I'm looking at around 50:1 ratio.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Very low sugar we are seeing 70 gallons of sap to one of syrup

[MT Pockets Producer]

We spent the day finishing what was in the pans,washing tanks and putting the RO to bed. Going to work on getting the woods taken care of tomorrow. We haven’t figured our gallons per yet but our last boil was on Thursday and the sap was 1.3%. I’m happy with that considering what other folks have had.

[Joust7.1]

That freeze on Tues and Wed night have me holding out for one more run. Hasnt turned buddy yet but Im worried it might since the frogs were singing last night after the thunder storm.


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[Michael Greer]

Cleaning up your gear is a good way to stay safe. NOBODY wants to help with that part. I'm old enough to be pretty concerned and very careful, and it strikes me that I should write up instructions for someone? to take over if I don't make it to next season.

[Michael Greer]

Well will you look at that! I made it to the next season and I'm only two years older. Got my second vaccination a few days ago and feel like a load has been lifted from my shoulders. Those few random warm days sure get me frantic about the start of the season, but it was really cold again this morning...so no... not yet. I'm putting the sugarhouse in order and breaking out the equipment. There may be some weather for tapping this week, but maybe only two days, so maybe not.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

We are about 3/4 tapped. Very deep snow this year.

[Michael Greer]

Started tapping on the 9th and found only one or two trees seeping. On the 10th, nearly every tree had sap. Finished tapping yesterday on the 11th and will go back to the beginning to see what the yield looks like this morning. I'm hoping for enough to sweeten the pans and maybe make the first syrup.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

I was recirculating concentrate back to the raw sap tank and feeding the mix back to the RO when it shut down. As it turned out the strainer was plugged solid with ice crystals (just like a slushy). I cleaned it out and it happened again. Repeatedly. I'm now by-passing the RO just to get the sap inside where I can deal with it tomorrow. I've been ROing sap since 1990 and never have seen this before. My guess is that the temperature dropped so fast (from 50 to 22 currently on the sensors) and the wind is so strong that when I pumped about 1000 gallons of sap 1400 feet through an inch pipe back to the raw sap tank at the shanty that it actually functioned like a chiller . The sap will pump but won't pass through the screen just before the 5 micron filter.

[DaveProsper]

That freeze came on STRONG late yesterday! I had a tent set up next to my arch and went inside for a meeting to let it finish cooling off before wheeling it inside. After the meeting I popped out and it was sleeting and the wind knocked the tent right on its side, despite being tied to (a now empty) tote! Had a heck of a time getting stuff put away but its all good now. It was shirtsleeve weather went I went in (well, almost) and when I came out just a couple hours later it was freezing! Haven't seen a change that wild in a long time.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Ended up (after sweetening the pan) making 29 gallons from the run which is about half what we would normally get but the sap only tested 1.1 percent. Our long term average is 1.8 although last year was only 1.2 -- not sure why that was but it would be nice to see it higher.

[Michael Greer]

We brought in 350 gallons from the 1st 200 buckets. It was only 2% and It took nearly 300 gallons to get to the first draw. I have 500 buckets out there now...all frozen solid.

[Michael Greer]

A couple cold days brought everything to a halt around here. Gathered from partially frozen buckets yesterday and threw out the ice, which gave me sap at 4%. I've got more to gather this morning but it sure is ugly out there. I'm concerned with the weather forecast....Several warm nights in a row this late in March is ominous.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

In 2012 it ended on March 19th after a week of 60 degrees, hope not to see that again soon

[Michael Greer]

I'm looking at this weather forecast and just shaking my head. I see only one more below-freezing night, and then warm for the next 8 days. I got my first sap on the 10th, and if this is all over by the 22nd, it just isn't worth it. It takes me 4 or 5 days to set up, and 4 or 5 more to clean up and put everything away. We could potentially make syrup until mid April, but not if it gets to be 60 degrees.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

A pleasant day checking leaks, much easier walking with the crust. Several hollow trees and the mandatory squirrel chews (hope the foxes have a big litter this year) and it's much improved but not yet where we want to be.

[Michael Greer]

Turned 540 gallons of sap into 13.25 gallons of lovely dark syrup, which is good money, but what a long day. It was 82 degrees in the sugarhouse all day with all the doors and windows wide open. I've got quite a suntan too.

[Michael Greer]

Jeepers peepers!! I think it's over. Beginning to end in 20 days is a record. You have to wonder if this is the end of an entire industry. Climate change is gonna suck, and we just don't know how yet.

[YBSean]

The window to sugar south of the St. Lawrence River is slowly closing. There will be good years but the pendulum swings (just like the weather) will make it difficult to sustain.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Dirty Socks! I'm done!

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Made 50 gallons of CD last night very glad to get it as I thought we might be done. 21 degrees this morning and so we're hopeful for today.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Another barrel last night and again tonight but no more frosts in the forecast. Left the pump on tonight -- We will see what tomorrow brings.........

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Ended yesterday boiling 1 percent but then our average for the year was only 1.2 percent -- very similar to last year while our long-term average is 1.8. I record the test each day and graphed the last 6 years and I'll try to attach that here

22344

[Michael Greer]

I'm interested to hear what people had for their yield per tap. Mine was about 1 pint of syrup per tap this year.

[antelope76]

I got 1.25 pints per tap this year even after pulling taps a week early.

[Joust7.1]

How are we doing in the NoCo? I was hoping for a decent go the last couple days after dipping to about 29-30 Monday night. My trees ran well yesterday on vac but stalled out overnight to barely a trickle. Sugar maples still look great, just not producing right now.

[MT Pockets Producer]

We finished up boiling on Sunday and cleaned things up Monday. We were Still getting sap but the sugar was below 1 percent. .9 and .7 in our two different woods so we pulled the plug. We only had one run early on where our sugar was 2 percent or higher. Our total was 70 gallons of syrup. Not the year were hoping for as 80 or more gallons Is our average. But we will take it over last years 38 gallons.

[DaveProsper]

Final finishing happening today - we are next door in Franklin County. Last boil was Wednesday, drained the tank Friday and wrapped it up tonight. Made about 37 gallons on a little under 190 taps using gravity+tubing. Way better than last year!

[Joust7.1]

How are we looking in the NoCo? Sure feels like go time around here!

[DaveProsper]

Saw people boiling on my route from Potsdam-Brushton the past few days, my lines juts got set last night so I may or may not tomorrow, depending on how full the tank is. I heard from some folks that their boils late last week were some of their earliest!

[Michael Greer]

Clearing up some damage from our recent ice-storm. The sugar maple in my front yard is streaming sap. January was only two weeks long this year. I mowed some grass on the 20th of December, and the starlings returned on the 1st of February.

[Joust7.1]

Happy Maple Weekend.
Pulled all the taps on my reds two days ago. Hoping the sugars hold out through next week which finally looks closer to sugaring season. Very little sap the last few days.

[Michael Greer]

Joust, Brian, tell us about your production for the year. It seems like the worst weather ever here in Potsdam.

[Joust7.1]

I was tapped earlier than I ever have been. Had just 4 boils so far. Missed one because of work. I’m at less than half an average crop but less than a third of what I was hoping for given I got tapped earlier. I usually can’t make that happen on most years with commitments. Sugar has been very low. I had 1.2-1.3 for the few sap batches that I measured.

[Michael Greer]

I'm looking for a St Lawrence, or Jefferson County producer who's working with buckets and firewood. I've done it for years, but I've worn out my back, and have to give up the heavy labor part. I'd be interested in a couple barrels per year to fill a niche market next season.