South central wisc tapping updates

[cjmiller272]

Just seeing if anyones had thoughts on how this spring is gonna blow in and when they plan to tap. Temps have been good for runs but havent tapped because i dont think the trees have wintered yet. Im guessing mid to late february

[Troy D]

I put ONE tap in a Box elder in the yard Sunday to keep an eye on it?? If that one starts to drip I am going to get after it. I figure it's only one tree and It should be a gauge of what is going on. I only tap Box Elder.

[WI Sugarpop]

Five weeks to wait here in Eastern WI unless the weather warms early. Will start getting the sugar house cleaned out soon. Sap sacks are all put together and ready to go.

[Irish Ridge]

Not due west of Rome but close and I am thinking about four weeks before I allow myself to haul buckets and tap. My first "finish" last year was March 22nd. And when it started running, it never stopped to the point that I had to find help tending my fire while I was out collecting sap. And my wife has not let me forget it for the past year. Honoring her with the title of lead evaporator tender will probably only work one season. May you have a good season in Rome.

[WI Sugarpop]

Our best runs are usually middle to the end of March so I guess we just need to sit tight and keep throwing wood in the stove. 11 below with 40 mph winds tonight.

[Pete S]

I am thinking we'll have an Easter Sunday pancake breakfast/boil at our place.

Noting Easter this year is May 5, 2015!

Temps are supposed to be LOW till well into March.

Now does that mean we'll have one week of sappin' weather,..................then flies/ants/moths/skeeters for the balance?

[cjmiller272]

I am predicting 2-3 fast weeks of sap runs then itll be over

[WI Sugarpop]

I am thinking we'll have an Easter Sunday pancake breakfast/boil at our place.

Noting Easter this year is May 5, 2015!

Temps are supposed to be LOW till well into March.

Now does that mean we'll have one week of sappin' weather,..................then flies/ants/moths/skeeters for the balance?

Hey Pete, I'll be over for Easter pancake breakfast but I'll come over on April 5.:lol: I think we'll have a 4 week season.

[Pete S]

Old age is a cruel joke Sugar pop!

April 5th it is!

[WI Sugarpop]

Old age is a cruel joke Sugar pop!

April 5th it is!

You're right, I can't even remember what I had for breakfast!

[Zucker Lager]

Here in Sugar Camp WI we are still seeing high twenties below zero at night this week. Typically we tap weeks later than areas north of us as much as 60 miles. (Phelps is a good example) never could figure that one out. I've only been tapping a few trees for 4 years now but in our area there are numerous Sugar-nuts that have been doing it for many more years. Some say we are in a cold valley and that does it????? Now that I'm really getting into the hobby I will certainly keep a log of it all for posterity's sake he he. Jay

[Troy D]

Could I put taps in this weekend and be ok? I have tons of stuff going on the next few weekends and would have a free time to get it done now. I am afraid if I wait I will miss out on a good run early. I am VERY new to this whole thing I just don't want to miss out. Thanks

[Pete S]

Looks like I may wait till about the 10th of March before I get too nervous.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/plymouth-wi/53073/march-weather/341503?monyr=3/1/2015&view=table

[Irish Ridge]

Pete, I agree with you. After checking Intellicast and Accuweather for my area I plan on tapping Thursday, March 5th. Nice high low temp range predicted after that but plenty of time for that to change. Was told today the almanac calls for a day of 70's in March. Replied I really didn't want to see it.

[cjmiller272]

Looks like im tapping tomorow march 5. Forecast looks like a very short season. Been scrambling all week, current subfreezing temps arent helping me get pans and buckets washed!!

[raider]

Put out 12 taps on the 8th of march. Trees were quite frozen as of yet but 48 on the 8th and 52 on the 9th so should thaw sometime. Raider LaFayette Co. Wisconsin

[cjmiller272]

Put in 70 taps on the 5th. 50 degrees last 3 days and didnt even freeze last night. 70 taps have only given me about 4 gallons of sap. Im not sure whats going on here.... ive had flow last year in lesser weather with a deeper frost!

[kraemerp]

Have only put in 10 taps so far...collected about 30 gals of sap..nothing to speak of in the last few days which was ok since I needed time to build a block arch to process this year...

[Pete S]

Have ONE tree that has been our best,..............5 gallons in 4 days on 2 taps. :-/

We will dump tonight and see.

Sounds like from the further south reports we're gonna get busy later this week.

Possible maiden voyage with the new evaporator Wednesday after work! We'll see.

[cjmiller272]

Finally got a reasonable sap flow yesterday the 3/18. About 45 gallons off 75 taps. Not great but enough, hopefully the week gets better flows

[cjmiller272]

Done for the 2015 season. Pulling taps today