when to tap in southeastern CT.

[jamesd14]

Hey all this is my first year tapping, anyone out there in southeastern CT that could let me know when they start tapping, that would really help me out a lot, thanks. You know how are weather can be real weird around here. I am going to tap ten sugar maples I have in my yard should be a good start for me.Thanks.

[killingworthmaple]

Well some people pick a date like Feb. 14 and stick to that date every year and others check the 2 week extended forecast and tap acording to the weather however the weather man is only right 50% of the time so that's a gamble. I tend to tap earlier instead of later in lower CT sometimes the last week of Jan.

[jamesd14]

Thanks very much, you gave Tue weatherman a lot of credit with the 50% thing. I like your plan to tap last week of January. Thanks.

[kkct]

Last Year was my first year and I tapped Feb 4th.

[jamesd14]

Sounds good, I will keep watching to see when everyone starts tapping.

[batsofbedlam]

A nearby producer is tapping next weekend. I plan to tap February 5 & 6 unless the weather turns colder.

[jamesd14]

Oh it is coming quick.

[CTsugarMan]

im tapping this coming weekend 2/14

[lafite]

might want to reconsider..the coldest air of the year about to set up next weekend...

[batsofbedlam]

Recalculating! Recalculating! Recalculating!

[markct]

I see a few nights in the minus numbers next week so think i will hold off another week and see. When its that cold every tap will leak and need reseating

[batsofbedlam]

I have not had good luck tapping into frozen wood. It usually means a lot of trips walking the lines looking for leaks and with this snow, it would require snowshoes that slow me down. I can wait for a few days where the temperature hits 40 degrees to lessen the snowpack and thaw the trees.

[tanta]

I'm teaching, teaching, teaching when school's not cancelled or delayed. Maybe we'll tap by the end of the month. :)

[wildlifewarrior]

I hear ya tanya, I am a teacher too, and when we get snow, I am so busy digging out up here, I couldn't get to the bush if I wanted to. Still have a bunch of stuff to prep in the shack, including closing in the ends….I don't want to know how much snow is in the actual shack. I can hold off tapping another week or two, it would be great to get everything finalized, and still have a nice long season.

Mike

[CTsugarMan]

Change of plans, waiting till this cold air lifts, now im thinking the day before we crack freezing temps? Comments??

[markct]

With the extreme cold it will take more than one day above freezing to thaw the trees

[tanta]

I'm hoping it's not a short season. Here in New Haven County sometimes that happens if spring comes flying in like a Banshee right after St. Patty's Day!

[markct]

The deep snowcover often helps prolong the season so im very optomistic still. I was much more worried weeks ago when we had zero snow and deep frost

[valleyman]

I'm hoping to have some sap boiled down to "almost syrup" before March7th. I'm scheduled to do a backyard style syrup finishing demo. I know a lot can change real fast here, but ol man winter isn't showing any signs of warming just yet.

A side note about this winter. I went ice fishing yesterday in Ansonia and the the ice was at least 15" closer to 20" thick!

[jamesd14]

Is does seem like the cold is going to be here for a couple more weeks. Running out of firewood.

[jamesd14]

Started running in ledyard yesterday, back to two freezing days and should start again over the weekend.