Trees budding early

[tapit123]

The trees in my orchard have already started to bud what are your opinions on how well the sap will run if this is the case?

[maple flats]

If in fact they are starting, the polar vortex will back them up. A good hard freeze will move the buds back to step one again. This week will do that.

[happy thoughts]

Are they actually opening up or are you just seeing buds? Buds are normally present during dormancy but they should remain closed until much warmer weather in the spring. If your orchard trees are really budding I'd be more worried about fruit production this year than sap production. We're still more than a few weeks away from tapping time and still plenty of cold to go.

[tapit123]

There just buds they do not appear to be opening just do not remember seeing them this early in past years

[maple flats]

Those buds have been there a long time. All the time the tree is dormant, you have buds. As the weather warms, the sap (sugar) feeds the buds to get them nourished to have the energy to open. You have a long time at this point and with the weather conditions in the 10 day forecast.

[DrTimPerkins]

There just buds they do not appear to be opening just do not remember seeing them this early in past years

A tree without buds is likely to be dead.

[adk1]

The red maples are much more peeve land than the sugars

[happy thoughts]

There just buds they do not appear to be opening just do not remember seeing them this early in past years

They've been there all along, trust me:). What you're seeing is normal. "Budding" that signals the end of the tapping season means open maple buds, fuzzy flowers and maybe even a hint of green leaf. We are a long way from there so sleep well and dream of the great sap tsunami to come:)

[Drew Pond Maple]

Your buds have not even swelled yet. The reds in our area are still tight, though probably larger than sugars.
We still have at least 3 weeks left.

[tapit123]

Thanks everyone

[Foremaple]

Those buds have been there a long time. All the time the tree is dormant, you have buds. As the weather warms, the sap (sugar) feeds the buds to get them nourished to have the energy to open. You have a long time at this point and with the weather conditions in the 10 day forecast.
If your buds may be larger this year, it would be interesting to see how that relates to potential sugar content.