First "Buddy" Sap!

[mantispid]

Yesterday I encountered my first set of taps producing sap that tasted like tea made from boiling live tree twigs. Being that this is my first season making syrup, I can only surmise that this is the telltale sign of a tree passing out of season. Granted, this tree looks more stressed than the rest. So perhaps it is metabolizing early. All the other taps tasted fine... Still, I suspect this may be the final week for reds!

[heus]

My nine silver maple taps always produce sap that smells real "woody." I dont think you will know for sure until you start boiling.

[mantispid]

Thing is though, the sap didn't taste like that a couple days prior...