Sugar content.

[KevinS]

So just what are all the factors that control sugar content in sap?
For many years I just assumed that we do not get as much sugar in sap as people do in other parts of the country. ( based on our history of Sap to Syrup ratio. from upper 50's ~ 80-1) I attributed it to soil make up and possibly growing season.
The last two years before this one I have not made any syrup. mainly since I was not out and we were in severe winter drought conditions. I felt that alone might be a lot of stress on the trees and I did not want to add to that... or give the appearance of adding to that to those owners and neighbors of all the front yard in town trees I tap.
So this year I cooked and saw numbers I never even dreamed of. I mean I would have be ecstatic with seeing the "average" of 45 to 1 as my lowest number.
we do have decent ground water levels again this year.
Dr Tim? anyone? thoughts?

believe me I am not complaining! And It seems many people are having a poor year. I do feel for you all, but especially those of you that this is livelihood and not a hobby.

[KevinS]

if nobody wants to reply, that is cool, nut can you at least point me to a link to info pertaining to this subject?

[happy thoughts]

A lot of it is genetics. Some trees consistently produce sweeter sap than others. Here's a research study that followed trees over several years.

http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmaple/sapsugarcontentvariation.pdf

Other than that, the previous growing season probably has a lot to do with year to year variations. I'd assume anything that contributes to a good growing season such as the right amount of moisture, sunshine, temps, and the absence of pests and disease, will mean more sugars produced and stored for the next growing season.

Welcome back and hoping you're having a great season:)

[KevinS]

A lot of it is genetics. Some trees consistently produce sweeter sap than others. Here's a research study that followed trees over several years.

http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmaple/sapsugarcontentvariation.pdf

Other than that, the previous growing season probably has a lot to do with year to year variations. I'd assume anything that contributes to a good growing season such as the right amount of moisture, sunshine, temps, and the absence of pests and disease, will mean more sugars produced and stored for the next growing season.

Welcome back and hoping you're having a great season:)
Thank you!
The season is short but intense and beyond my wildest expectations considering the low number of taps this year. I far surpassed what I would normally get on 110 ~120 taps, with just 80. Had I put out all of them I would have been giving away sap or not getting it boiled before it went bad. even after I got the conversion dialed in and am boiling better now than I did with fuel oil. Still waiting to see what the natural gas bill will be though. ;)

[DonMcJr]

I've been averaging 3.5% to 3.75 % which is a little above average for me...

Good read here >>>> http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDUQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uvm.edu%2F~uvmaple%2Fsapsugar contentvariation.pdf&ei=W8E8U93iNo3g2wW6jYHoBQ&usg=AFQjCNEbwSZFPcvIBiaLrXjX9zKBnNa8Yg&sig2=MLByLiM5rs4cGh_iGAxsmg

[Germanmaples]

My sugar content is terrible compared to last year. I am getting ones and last year 2.75. a lot of wood.