Southwestern Ontario

[Brookmaple]

Thought it was time to get southwestern Ontario on here. Let us know how your season unfolds.

[Brookmaple]

50-tapped March 8
30-tapped March 9

Sap flowing in sheltered bush trees. Fence line trees frozen.

[crazyjackcsa]

Sap flowing in Chatham-Kent today. 17 taps on the trees in the yard.

[MarkReynolds]

Yup about 15 of my 46 taps were dripping a lot of my trees are large so still frozen.. But tomorrow is suppose to be really nice!

[jow]

Tapped 50 on our road Monday. Some showing signs of a drip. Prob won't get a big run for a few days.

[MarkReynolds]

Where you at jow your the first person in the woodstock area I've seen.

[js4fn]

finally some locals Rodney ontario for me on the lake

saps running but slow sounds like wednesday is going to be nice. too cloudy today
squirrels are eating my lines like crazy and i have been shooting them few more to get i guess

oh yeah brix is 2+

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[js4fn]

adding a video this will make you want to go pee LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACd2qO0fvlw

[MarkReynolds]

Well collected about 10L from around 15 of my taps the other 31 are still dry.. Hoping tomorrow will change that!

[crazyjackcsa]

I got about 5 gallons out of a dozen of my taps over the last few days. A couple are still dry, a couple are slow.

[js4fn]

Started boiling today why is the first day always the roughest squirrels are eating replaced lines / drops i did yesterday using electrical tape today
trees ran slow today

too much snow
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[MarkReynolds]

I wish I had enough to boil.. Got a little over 7 gallons from 15 of my 46 taps... Apparently I have some slow starters.

[TylerMcT]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that is getting below average sap yeild. Here's to hoping things open up this weekend! Dutton ON.

[striker3636]

I have had about 60 taps out for the last few days, and have a little over 100 gallons of sap to show for it. First boil will be tomorrow.

[crazyjackcsa]

Dutton? We're practically neighbours!

I got 10 gallons on 14 taps today. Two trees are still bone dry. One massive tree with four taps accounts for half of it.

[Brookmaple]

80 taps in--75 gallons sap collected; first sugaring-off tomorrow.

[MarkReynolds]

A buddy of mine cleared a path into the field to get a a patch of sugars so I'll be putting in an addition 22 taps on top of my 4611067

[Lespetras]

That's great news Mark!

[timbers]

Put 125 buckets out a few days ago, and collected about 100 gallons of sap today. Planning on boiling Monday but really need more sap.

[timbers]

I should add sugar content about 2.25%

[MarkReynolds]

Well currently in the middle of my first boil of the season and really first with a evaporator! And things are going good. Remembered everything except a cushion for the upside down bucket I'm sitting on lol11075

[js4fn]

Well currently in the middle of my first boil of the season and really first with a evaporator! And things are going good. Remembered everything except a cushion for the upside down bucket I'm sitting on lol11075

nice looking rig
this is usually when your friends all show up and syrup goes away LOL
and you wonder if you have enough wood

finished my second batch this morn I hate bottling first time used the 1 liter whisky bottles long necks messed up first one filled to fast and it foamed then couldn't get any more.. in oh well freebie

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[Run Forest Run!]

this is usually when your friends all show up and syrup goes away LOL
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Isn't that the truth! :lol:

[MarkReynolds]

Didn't get any syrup but my pan is sweet! Boiling again Tuesday and hopefully I'll have a good run tomorrow. And then I should get some syrup off it. Luckly for me I'm on afternoons this week and ppl are working so I'll be keeping the syrup this week :)

[crazyjackcsa]

My trees have already stopped!We need some nights below freezing. It's stayed right around 0 the last three nights.

[MarkReynolds]

So how are sap yields so far for everyone?
Mine not so hot 60-65 gallons total for 46 taps and just moved up to 56 last week.

[crazyjackcsa]

Yesterday was a good day. Two trees are still dry, but I got about 16 gallons out of my other four trees. Hope it continues!

[robinson lane]

70 gallons from 75 taps yesterday

[Run Forest Run!]

That's excellent. We were locked up tight here with the cold.

[MarkReynolds]

Ya same was -5 all day didn't get a drop high hopes for today and tomorrow

[js4fn]

been boiling all day back is too sore to bottle tonight will finish this batch tommorrow and get it in bottles. yesterday line trees ran scary fast today was slow

my bucket trees suck this year except the tree with poison ivy LOL 3/4 5ga pail a day while others are 3-4 inches

[robinson lane]

Were is the best place to buy bottles in sw ontario ?

[MustardSeedMum]

my bucket trees suck this year except the tree with poison ivy LOL 3/4 5ga pail a day while others are 3-4 inches

:lol::lol:

[timbers]

Were is the best place to buy bottles in sw ontario ?

Jakemans, although they really don't have much selection anymore.

[js4fn]

Bottled 3rd batch this morn if any of you need a sticky mess maker with syrup i'm your go to guy work cheap and fast at it ...

who knew that valve wasn't closed :o

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[Run Forest Run!]

What's with so many of us dumping syrup this year? hahaha I still have to take off the baseboards to get the syrup that ran under there.

[js4fn]

oh come on you know syrup is good on Everthing!! :lol:

[crazyjackcsa]

GOOD GRAVY THINGS ARE MOVING!

I'm getting 2+gallons per tap per 24hrs over the last three days! I'm boiling like a banshee to keep up!

[MarkReynolds]

Collected 57 gallons from 56 taps so finally got a decent haul. Don't get off work til 7 then to the shack to boil my tail off!

[TylerMcT]

11238 finally a weekend were I can keep this thing rolling

[MarkReynolds]

After another 6 hours of boiling bed time.... But 11255

[Run Forest Run!]

Mark I think some waffles are calling your name. :)

[MarkReynolds]

Yup I was determined too get some finished syrup last night 11266
I don't know why my pics are side ways..

[SPM in King]

OK, just tapped my first 79. I hope you guys haven't used up all the good weather while I was in Aurba. I will tap the rest tomorrow. We still have lots of snow in the bush and on the lawn.

Karen, your numbers are giving you a 58:1 ratio. This seems high. Do some of your other maples give you a lower sugar content? I think we only tap one or two non-sugar maples. So I have no reference.

[Run Forest Run!]

Karen, your numbers are giving you a 58:1 ratio. This seems high. Do some of your other maples give you a lower sugar content? I think we only tap one or two non-sugar maples. So I have no reference.

Yes you're right SPM, (nice to see you back on the forum for this year BTW! :)), that's the correct average for my two batches. Pathetic I know. The problem is that the first batch was 70:1 because the sugar content was unusually low at the beginning of this season. I've never ever been below 2% except this year and was getting readings of 1.5% during the first sap runs. My second batch was much better at 34:1 as the sugar content in the sap was back to normal and I'd chucked some of the ice from my bulk sap storage container. Looks like your holiday in Aruba spared you the indignance of having to deal with record breaking poor sugar content. Good luck this season. Looks like Wednesday could get us back in the sap.

[daverobitaille]

This cold snap gave me the time to finish and bottle 5 gallons of finished light syrup and 10 jars of my favorite ....Maple Butter! Hummmm.11325

[Run Forest Run!]

Dave, if you can believe it, I'd never had maple butter before until two weeks ago when I saw some for sale at Costco. It was incredible! It's like spreadable maple fudge!

I'm thinking that I should find the instructions on how to make it and try it for myself. I assume that you are also waiting for the weather to warm up to get the sap flowing again. We've had a long enough break from all the fun.

[psparr]

Boil to 238 I think. Then cool in an ice bath to 170 and stir.

[Run Forest Run!]

Boil to 238 I think. Then cool in an ice bath to 170 and stir.

Thanks psparr. I can't wait to give it a try!

[SPM in King]

Karen, we tried the butter thing last year. We made candy instead. I'm not sure why it did not work. It is not as easy as some would let on. I gather its the kind of thing that takes some practice and patience. You need a higher sugar content and you need to stir it to prevent crystals from forming (experts, correct me if I'm wrong!).

Let us know how you do with it. If you mess up, just add water and try again....

[Run Forest Run!]

Steve, are you ready for things to thaw out tomorrow? Fingers crossed.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Karen, Cook to soft ball (about 232-234) and cool to room temp. or cooler. I leave mine on the front porch overnight. Stir until it turns "white".

[Run Forest Run!]

Thanks for the added suggestion Thompson's. That's very helpful.

[js4fn]

finished off what i had sweetened today its cold out.11334113351133611337
got the gator down to the beach today maybe this why trees are slow runners

[Run Forest Run!]

That lake shot sure looks cold. Even your dog turned white and froze solid. Nice looking syrup though.;)

[crazyjackcsa]

11339

Used the cold weather to finish off 6l of syrup. I sprung for a hydrotherm this year and it's really helping with quality.

[daverobitaille]

Ok. Maple butter is VERY difficult to make and you must fallow the steps like a religion. First it needs to go to 112 Celsius. However you MUST boil water to find out the boiling point that day. It could be 99 or 100 or even 101. You must boil the syrup to 12 Celsius ABOVE the boiling point. Prepare an ice bath in the sink with ice and some water. Put your pot on it and leave the thermometer in it. Let it cool till 23 Celsius. Very important to cool to that temp. Also, DO NOT DISTURB IT!!! do not move the thermometer in the syrup or premature crystallization can occur. When cooled, I take a electric drill with a wooden spoon on it to start mixing it slow at first and increase speed later. If by hand your arm will be dead! Small mixer will blow out as the mixture is too tick. Continue to mix till the syrup becomes beige and dull. It will seam to be too liquid but it means it is time to poor it in the jars. leave the jars open for 5 minutes and do not disturb it. Then seal it. It is my 4th time doing it and this method was successful every time!

If you do not follow these steps you will end up with candy or just very tick syrup.

Dave

[Run Forest Run!]

Dave, thanks for the detailed instructions. Maple butter is obviously a very scientific process and you've done a great job outlining each step of the way.

[js4fn]

Ok. Maple butter is VERY difficult to make and you must fallow the steps like a religion. First it needs to go to 112 Celsius. However you MUST boil water to find out the boiling point that day. It could be 99 or 100 or even 101. You must boil the syrup to 12 Celsius ABOVE the boiling point. Prepare an ice bath in the sink with ice and some water. Put your pot on it and leave the thermometer in it. Let it cool till 23 Celsius. Very important to cool to that temp. Also, DO NOT DISTURB IT!!! do not move the thermometer in the syrup or premature crystallization can occur. When cooled, I take a electric drill with a wooden spoon on it to start mixing it slow at first and increase speed later. If by hand your arm will be dead! Small mixer will blow out as the mixture is too tick. Continue to mix till the syrup becomes beige and dull. It will seam to be too liquid but it means it is time to poor it in the jars. leave the jars open for 5 minutes and do not disturb it. Then seal it. It is my 4th time doing it and this method was successful every time!

If you do not follow these steps you will end up with candy or just very tick syrup.

Dave

going to give this a go when time permits

so when these steps are done is it kept refrigerated ?

oh and a litre of syrup becomes how much maple butter or does the maple butter jar size matter /does it have to be full

[SPM in King]

Steve, are you ready for things to thaw out tomorrow? Fingers crossed.

So much for that...9C eh? Never got above 2C here. Looks like next week is the best we can hope for...and yes, they are crossed (toes too)!

[Run Forest Run!]

Hey Steve. I started to get a few drips at 7pm tonight. It was too cold here all afternoon, surprisingly, but warmer now than it's been all day.

This weather thing was all my fault. Sorry. In anticipation of a long day of boiling I made all my meals for today yesterday. I jinxed it. Should have known better.

[daverobitaille]

Expect the syrup to reduce a bit but not much. Past syrup things moves fast from a product to another. It is better to keep it cold for a longer shelf life and freshness. If the syrup and butter separates, just mix it with a knife.

[crazyjackcsa]

Things started off slow here. No flow until about 1pm. And then all hell broke loose! I've collected about 2 gallons per tap in the last 10 hours! I'm boiling like a mad man!

[js4fn]

snow are you kidding

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[js4fn]

snow threw me for a loop
trees are wierd this year

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[ennismaple]

That's why they call it sugar snow! A few degrees above freezing plus the low atmospheric pressure that accompanies a storm like that can make it run like crazy at times!

[drpud]

Good Morning Everyone
Late to the thread but tapped 100 trees (all on buckets) Mar 9. As of Mar 23 have 37 litres finished (mainly all light). Have about 500 L sap from Wed-Thurs this week to boil today. Don't expect much sap flow today or tomorrow given the temperatures but early next week the forecast looks quite favourable. Good luck to all.
Cheers,
Paul
PS Earlier in the thread someone inquired about where to buy bottles, etc. Harvey Weber near Heidelberg or Reist's near Elmira usually are well stocked. I myself just use good old mason jars purchased at Walmart. I like people to be able to see the clarity of the syrup, with the wide mouth they are easy to fill when the syrup is hot and they seal well (my wife and I always giggle when we hear the metal lids tinking and pinging as they seal down)

[MarkReynolds]

Morning! Sounds good, I collected just over 150L from my 60 taps yesterday and have just over 300L to go through today and tomorrow.

[crazyjackcsa]

I got 200l from my 17 taps in 48 hours ending this morning. Finishing up the batch today.

[robinson lane]

Got 700 l from 75 taps its gonna be a big day in the shack tomorrow

[MarkReynolds]

Wow 700 that's intense all my sap in buckets is frozen solid with this -15 weather...

[Lespetras]

Got 700 l from 75 taps its gonna be a big day in the shack tomorrow

Good for you! Just curious, over what period of time? That's a great haul!
Lesley

[robinson lane]

Collected it mon to thurs pulled 495l on thurs

[Lespetras]

Collected it mon to thurs pulled 495l on thurs
Holy crap! Sorry but that's awesome!

[js4fn]

Boiled yesterday
Bottled this morning wow its cold out
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[Run Forest Run!]

Great looking syrup js4fn. I've got some stored sap that I'd like to boil off this afternoon, but I think I'm likely going to be wimping out because of the cold and wind.

[Stevenick]

just found this thread.. we are located just east of toronto so not sw... Hope I can chime in.
115 taps last year on buckets, 235 on 3 gravity lines this year.
We have done about 15 litres of syrup but it has been off and on...
Have about 800 litres of sap to boil tomorrow.
Gonna be a LONG day.....
Looking forward to a steady sap run this coming week.

[js4fn]

Great looking syrup js4fn. I've got some stored sap that I'd like to boil off this afternoon, but I think I'm likely going to be wimping out because of the cold and wind.

went and looked at my 5 gallon pails they are full but solid blocks of ice so they won't blow away nah nah

[MarkReynolds]

Favourite beer, raging boil, good friends and mapletrader good night of boiling :)

[mountainvan]

M Reynolds. I have family your way. From mt Elgin and Ingersoll. happy boiling to you from woodstock,ny.

[MarkReynolds]

Cool! Ya I work in ingersoll!

[js4fn]

more snow ? march 31 ground is white sap ran hard yesterday. I need a new weather channel

[crazyjackcsa]

It ran really hard yesterday. I'm afraid to go out and look this morning because I'm out of storage space. Whatever is out there this morning has to sit on the tree.

[MarkReynolds]

I emptied a few over flowing buckets last night and it was around 8:30 and they were still dripping :)

[js4fn]

Busy day snow then latter on wind came up and the tree's had a snow fight got me down the back of my neck twice Bad tree 1150311498115001150111502

[js4fn]

I bottled twice today running out of glass have a few tins then on to plastic

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[js4fn]

took a quick break from the sugar shack this afternoon see my pair of geese are back and a ship out in the lake Spring is Here

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[MarkReynolds]

Well sap is running today! All my trees are dripping like crazy!

[js4fn]

didn't get as warm as weather man said. only half tank today hope it fills over night bottled again

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[crazyjackcsa]

It was slow here today too. I don't think it got cold enough last night. Looking at the forecast, it looks like the season is drawing to a close.

[argohauler]

Got to the hundred imperial gallon mark yesterday. 4 gallon of light, the rest medium. Inundated with sap.

[argohauler]

Getting ready to come home tonight, I saw and heard peepers! Swamps still have lots of ice in them. Also saw a salamander crawling through the muck. Frogs jumping on the road as I drove home. Didn't need it to be this warm. Syrup went to amber today. Fought with the rear float all day.

[Run Forest Run!]

So those of us in Ontario are now officially on notice. The frogs and peepers are approaching from the west. Thanks for the headsup argohauler.

[crazyjackcsa]

Looking at the long range forecast it looks like this is the last weekend for me...

[argohauler]

Yes I agree it doesn't look favourable. Percentages of rain everyday. Didn't even get as cold as they said it was supposed to last night. Supposed freeze tonight. Still trying to catch up, won't be till tomorrow likely.

[js4fn]

yes i'm calling it also

[JDP]

Lots of sap flowing today south of Guelph. Can't figure it out. Snow all morning and only a few degrees above zero. Hmmmmm? 2 gallon Buckets all overflowing when collecting this evening they were emptied early this morning. This may be the last week if temps overnight stay above zero!

[crazyjackcsa]

I had a good flow Saturday, 12 gallons. Yesterday was 3 gallons. Today will be lucky to get 2. The sap is getting a little cloudy, but so far the taste is okay. We're down to the end if you're in the extreme south.

[Run Forest Run!]

Sap flow is out of control here today. Loving it!

[argohauler]

1 more round up today. Too bad it has to stop freezing. The sap is nice and clear and sugar is still high, but rain systems have screwed us. Double digit highs are coming. Still ice in the swamps and I'm still driving on ice in places. Not sure if I'll make last years total. Syrup has the red tint to it, but it's still amber.

[JDP]

Boiled 30 gallons today and it only produced 3.75 litres of syrup. Had been getting 4.5 litres. Does the sugar content tail off when the season is winding down here in Mountsberg? ( Close to Milton)

Thanks for any answers. First year so still learning!

[Run Forest Run!]

It certainly can JDP. I have found that is usually the case, but it can bump up again if there is another freeze. Invest in a sap hydrometer during the off season so you will know in advance what to expect from your sap before you put in the hours of boiling. Mine is indispensable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-10-Portable-BRIX-REFRACTOMETER-w-ATC-Fruit-Juice-Wine-Vegetable-Coolants-Sap-/231157961168?

[JDP]

Run Forest Run. Do you think we are done this weekend? You are not far away from me. Sap has really tapered of yesterday and today. No temps below 0 are forecast but double digit highs. Will we get another run or does it have to drop below 0.......and how do you know when the sap gets " buddy" ? Thanks

[Run Forest Run!]

Run Forest Run. Do you think we are done this weekend? You are not far away from me. Sap has really tapered of yesterday and today. No temps below 0 are forecast but double digit highs. Will we get another run or does it have to drop below 0.......and how do you know when the sap gets " buddy" ? Thanks

JDP, it's not looking great for us, but there is some chance that Friday night and Saturday night might be chilly enough to recharge the trees. Beyond that, the evening temperatures are looking like they will be too warm. It really does need to below 0 for anything significant to happen. If the temperatures stay warm the sap will stop and you'll not have to opportunity to collect any sap, let alone any buddy sap. Whenever we have a season that ends more slowly than this one, I boil a few cups of the sap that I collect before adding it to a larger pot of boiling sap. If the steam smells foul, then you know it's buddy and don't use it.

BTW, I'm jealous to see that you live so close to Sunset Villa in Puslinch. It's one of the only places in southern Ontario that serves traditional Danish food. I'd be there every night of the week if I lived in Mountsberg! I go every June for the big Danish picnic celebrating Constitution Day, and it's often our destination for special events. Nothing fancy, but it's my idea of comfort food. Any other time I crave Danish food, I have to make it myself. :)

[JDP]

Thanks for the info Karen. I'm collecting tonight I guess for the last time. Have 10 gallons of sap on hand and maybe 10 - 15 gallons to collect. Oh well it was a good run for a first timer boiling on a bathtub evaporator. It sure did the job though. Got it running at 8 GPH . Completed 15 gallons of finished syrup with maybe a gallon to go this weekend. Sugar shack gong up this summer with a new evaporator planned for next year. Running 35 taps. Don't need any more really. Just want to lesson our boil times each day we cook. Must say I got a lot of exercise cutting wood and collecting sap. Thanks to all on this forum for there help. What a great community! I'm hooked. Maple Syrup every year now. Off to Dominican Republic next Thursday. Thx again!

[Run Forest Run!]

You're very welcome. Have fun in the sun.

[daverobitaille]

Well it is all over for me. Pulled the pug yesterday. A total of 94 liters of syrup this year. I am very impressed with the 3/16 vacuum gravity tubing.
I will be selling my buckets including 2 gallons buckets , lids and spiles at 3 bucks per set if any are interested. I have 40 available.

[argohauler]

Finished off what was in the pans on Monday. Ended up with 948 litres or 209 Imperial gallons or 251 US gallons. 2116 taps this year. Lost 8 taps due to wind blowovers (November wind storm) and death, but I gained 4 new taps on the lines. So I averaged .45 litres per tap from my not very good running bush. I made 13 Imperial gallons more than last year.

Cloud cover killed us at night and we had a lot of small runs towards the end where it would just get to freezing. The trees still had high sugar and they wanted to go, but mother nature said otherwise.

Ended up with 4 flying squirrels this year and one mouse nest in the buckets.

Friday was a beautiful day for bringing buckets in. It was T shirt weather. It was nice until I found someone had stolen 10 buckets from the back end of the neighbours 5 acre lot. They took 4 aluminums, 4 of the 3 gallon blue plastic buckets, and 2 - 17L pails and their droplines. They took nine lids, but left some of the spiles still in the trees. I suspect it could be one of a couple neighbouring 5 acre lot owners, so I talked with them and nobody saw anything. I made a police report and the officer said thanks for the report, but there's nothing we can really do, except keep us informed if anything else happens. I wonder if they'll be stupid enough to tap their own trees next year because I'm going to be able to see. The lots are long and skinny. Also found 2 missing droplines in the neighbours bush that butts up to the back end of the the 5 acre lots. One still had the 5/16th reducer still in the tree.

Anyways all the buckets are in and I still have likely most of a day bringing in lids. Still have to pull lines and bring in the collection barrels, then haul wood. An ash tree blew over yesterday, so there's some more wood for next season.

[cat tech]

Late January 2016 and it looks like winter outside , maple season is right around the corner

[JDP]

Was out today preparing equipment and wood for upcoming season and couldnt believe the sap flowing from a branch I cut last fall. would have easily filled a bucket today. maybe an early season for us this year folks? Getting the itch I cant scratch yet!

[MarkReynolds]

Ya its looking that way, took the last two weeks off of March off so I could go all out without working 90 hours a week but looks like I booked to late in the season but time will tell..

[Run Forest Run!]

At this rate we'll likely not have a long deep freeze that will take weeks to thaw out. That would mean tapping several weeks earlier than usual around here. My trigger finger is getting itchy.

[cat tech]

I'm guessing the first week in March? ?? Quick question for any one on this site? For the last couple of years iv used 7 16 tap with a 5 gallon pail hanging off the hook, I got given a large amount of 5 16 tubbing and was thinking of buying some of the 516 eco tap. Do you notice any different with the amount of sap you get from the 7 16 tap re the 5 16 taps ????

[Run Forest Run!]

Do you notice any different with the amount of sap you get from the 7 16 tap re the 5 16 taps ????

Hi cat tech. From my personal experience, and having used both, I've not noticed any discernable difference at all. Anyone else?

[BrutemanAl]

I have not noticed difference and I have used both and still use both .

[JDP]

Tough not to tap today with 3 days of daytime highs of 3- 8 and nightime below 0......should be a run but will likley freeze solid after that. Gonna wait til Valentines day to tap I think. Will continue working on upgrades......Yee haa! Weather will not get me this year with shack shaping up nicely. Learned how to weld and oil drum arch will really bring boil rates up on new pan. Cant hardly wait.

[cat tech]

So I use 5 gallon pails hanging off trees but with no lids, any one have any good idea on what to make cheap covers with???? With no lids on rainy days the sap turns yellow and get dumped.

[robinson lane]

Put 80 taps in today and they are all running good.

[JDP]

If you have or know someone with some leftover shingles you should get 3 lids from each shingle. A 3.5 inch framing nail will hold them in place and allow for bucket removal.

[cat tech]

Shingles, they keep the rain and snow out of my house they should do the same for my sap pails. Thanks.

So now for another question ???

So my idea this year is to connect multi trees together with 5 16 eco taps and 5 16 tees with5 16 tubbing and run them to number of pails set in one spot. What is the max number of taps that should be connected together if all are connected with 5 16 tubbing and then gravity dropping into buckets??

[JDP]

im not on tubing but if I can remember from other threads you need drops to a large mainline. if you use 5/16 all the time im sure on a good flow day it should handle 5-10 taps. what size of pail are you using to catch the sap in. 10 taps at a gallon a day average.....i think a brand new garbage can would work out... $10.00 with a lid.....thats a dolllar per tap...not bad. it would hold 3 days flow (30 gallons) if you have work interfearing..... you just need to get a 12 volt bilge pump for the ATV to pump it to your collection tank.

[MarkReynolds]

Anyone start Tapping around the Woodstock London area? Any predictions just looked at the weather suppose to go back down for a bit.

[robinson lane]

I tapped 80 last Sunday and boiled 190 gal of sap today and have another 150 to do tomorrow I'm in sarnia area.

[MarkReynolds]

I'll most likely tap right after this cold snap I should of tapped sooner but got busy.

[daverobitaille]

I installed a new 3/16 line yesterday. No more buckets!!! Well just a few near the sugar shack for a traditional look.

I was the first customer last year to purchase the new 3/16 from Atkinson Maple and the first to try it. My experience was way above my expectations! I collected more than twice sap on the tubing with 50 taps than 50 buckets.

This system requires a good elevation and my shack is at the bottom of the of the hill. It works so great that high vacuum is created without any pump systems or electricity. It works so much that if I take the top tap off you can hear the suction.

This year I added another line and a larger evaporator. Now waiting for the next few weeks before tapping even if it was tempting yesterday winter is not over yet!!!

[MarkReynolds]

Yup suppose to get cold again, hope your season goes well I only have the ability for buckets road side trees don't offer much elevation :(

[MarkReynolds]

Anyone Tapping? I'm thinking of starting Friday I'm just to tempted with the warm weekend coming up.

[Run Forest Run!]

Hey Mark. I was thinking about it because Fri-Sun looks enticing, but then next week's forecast is still below freezing. Unless the forecast for the next few weeks starts to show better temps, I'll just wait to tap until the last week of Feb. I don't want to get everything all set up, have a mini-boil this weekend and then have everything sitting there empty for two weeks.

[MarkReynolds]

Ya that's what I'm afraid of I'm so very tempted I just want to start lol just need to scratch my itch!

[Run Forest Run!]

Mark, I took at look at Woodstock's forecast. Hold off. It's just about as bad as mine is. Make some pancakes with extra syrup tonight. That ought to help a bit. ;)

[crazyjackcsa]

Tapped my trees two days ago. 16 taps on 5 trees on the lawn. Got 2 gallons of sap today.

[cat tech]

Got home from work this afternoon and tapped 15 trees, almost all the trees were dripping before I could set the bucket on the hook.tomorrow is going to be a busy day of tapping, even if this is just a teaser the equipment will set up and ready.

[daverobitaille]

I tapped 2 days ago and this morning all lines are full and the storage tank is 1/4 full. The big trees are still dormant. Looks like I am boiling this afternoon! On 3/16 gravity natural vacuum.

[MarkReynolds]

A guy one road over was out Tapping yesterday and I haven't yet, today is suppose to get up to 10 but then drop back down and late next week in the negative for a few days straight. I tap large road side trees so I plan to tap next Saturday. Hope the first week of March looks better!

[cat tech]

60 taps put in today , by the look of all the pails at sun set should have 150-200 l of sap to start cooking tomorrow

[js4fn]

put in 100 taps yesterday pull the drill out and sap was running out of the hole before you could get tap in had the one main line with 80+ taps running into 5 gallon pail it was full in a hour used that to rinse out storage tank
all of those trees are on a steep slope fell twice, cut my thumb weee let the season start I'm not ready I'm not ready



I'm not ready

I am sore tho

[Brookmaple]

There are signs that sap is running; a bit early yet. . . .

[cat tech]

125 taps all in place , got 300 l of sap from today's run, spring fever is starting to hit every one .

[robinson lane]

boiled for two days 5gal of finished syrup thought we were caught up just to find another 150 gal for tomorrow of of 80 taps

[js4fn]

My tanks are overflowing this morning boiling need hotter fire to get sap moving to make room13425



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[js4fn]

My first. 2016
Hit 105 in the sugar shack today that takes a bit out of you1343313434


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[Brookmaple]

• 60 taps Saturday
• 25 gallons sap Sunday, boiled off.

[cat tech]

600 l of sap has been transformed into 17 of syrup so far this year. Weather forecast is calling for a week of cold weather, looks like more waiting

[MarkReynolds]

Got about 50 gallons of sap would of had more but the wind in my area was crazy and most of my trees are exposed so I had a good number of drop line pails blown off :(

[Run Forest Run!]

Mark I know what you mean about the wind! It's been crazy out for two days straight. Without tying the jugs to the trees they would have been in Kansas by now. Get ready for the coming snowstorms and a four day rest from the sap. It's shovel time.

[argohauler]

Don't like the look of the 2 week forecast. No freezing nights after the cold snap. Hoping we don't get freezing rain tonight. Going to be windy.

[js4fn]

I Finnish with a small pan on wood stove

Shows how Ruxol insulation will protect stuff doesn't even show a hot mark 13452

This morning was hard to find 8' arch
13453


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[js4fn]

Add photo13454


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[js4fn]

Mother Nature just blew this into the sugar shack timely
13455


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[js4fn]

Don't like the look of the 2 week forecast. No freezing nights after the cold snap. Hoping we don't get freezing rain tonight. Going to be windy.

getting ice here very slippery out

[Run Forest Run!]

I looked at our revised forecast for next week. I'm not liking what I'm seeing.

[js4fn]

Ground is white with snow now next up


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[argohauler]

Mostly got ice pellets. A tiny bit of freezing rain and a dusting of snow.

No freezing forecasted after Sunday night.

[argohauler]

Still no freezing forecasted after Sunday night. Highs are getting warmer.

[Brookmaple]

Two week forecast not looking good. . . .

[js4fn]

Boiling has started again13635


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[MarkReynolds]

How's your trees running?

[js4fn]

120 +or- gallons thru the night 100 online taps 7:00 am good stream


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[js4fn]

Long range weather doesn't show any freezing wonder how many days before sugar content drops way off


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[js4fn]

Hey someone watch my pans need to go pump up some more sap


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[drpud]

Pulling my taps out this evening......this will be another short season like 2012 when I had wood frogs hopping around the wood shed in early March. Good luck to all.
Paul

[cat tech]

Nice run of sap the last 2 days , had one tree with 3 taps into a 20 l pail over flowing today. It's going to be hard to empty enough whiskey bottles over the next week to hold the all the syrup but hey I'll try.

[MarkReynolds]

Ya collected 75 gallon from 75 taps today but the sugar content isn't holding up an Friday is the only day that's suppose to be below zero and I think it will be too late by then.... :(

[js4fn]

Boiling again today flow last night was much slower


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[js4fn]

If you guys ever see deep fryer basket like they use to make French fries grab it very convenient for hanging in your pans to let cups and pre filters to steam clean and pre heat
13673


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[js4fn]

Last firing for me today boiling off faster then the trees are filling tank. Wind is picking up trees. Are slowing down


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[MarkReynolds]

Ya I did my last boil today.. :( horrible season...

[Run Forest Run!]

Ya I did my last boil today.. :( horrible season...

Hey Mark. It's looking like in a week you'll be back to below freezing nights. Any chance your maples won't have budded out by then? Maybe you should keep the taps in for another week, and maybe rinse out the buckets. What do you think?

[cat tech]

What a change, from just over 500 l of sap in 2 days down to 40 l today. Maybe this is part of the fun? wondering what will tomorrow bring. The weather is calling for some frezzing temps Thursday and Friday night so hear hoping for a busy weekend of boiling sap.

[argohauler]

Heard some peepers tonight.

[Run Forest Run!]

Heard some peepers tonight.

Nooooooooooooooooooooo! :o

[js4fn]

Just finished bottling yesterday's boil
Think taps will be coming out shortly
13706
Tree at the beach yesterday
13707


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[argohauler]

Had a visit from a peeper frog and a leopard frog in the shanty tonight.

[SuzukiSapper]

How is your sap running? Close to end?

[argohauler]

SuzukiSapper, had a big run Monday, and now catching up on that. I think it might be over. 0 tonight and AccuWeather says it will start freezing again by the 20th. I think that might be too long and too warm till then.

[sluggish]

How long does it typically take a tree to start budding? My sap hasn't flowed in a few days now but it looks like it will drop below freezing next week. Just wondering how long I should hold out before packing it in. With what sap I have available to boil right now, I will be lucky to get 2 gallons of syrup out of my 64 taps.

[SuzukiSapper]

My feelings as well. hopefully, my tendency toward procrastination will result in one more go round.

[robinson lane]

It over pulling the taps tonight last year we were just putting the taps in this week. Sure glad we tapped Jan 31 it was the best run of the season

[cat tech]

Maple season is in full swing hear, froze up last night negative 3 and reached plus 6 this afternoon. 125 taps gave up 320 l sap today and with aprox same temp tonight and tomorrow, hope that Saturday colection just might be the best of the year. Finished off 34 l of syurp so far this season, and with these temps hope to keep the stove firing and make it to the 60 l mark.

[cat tech]

What a day, 3- 200 l drums and a sap pail , all in one day. My 2 x 4 pan only boils off 25-30 l an hour, today's run of sap will keep the steam flying for a couple of days.

[cat tech]

Next to nothing for sap today, the evaporator has been burning since Friday afternoon , about 100 l left to cook down . Season is sitting at 54 l of syrup made, the taps will be pulled out this coming Saturday any sap boiled down and then the final count and clean up.

[sluggish]

I managed to get through 37.5 gallons today and ended up with just under 3 litres of syrup. Hell of a long day with my setup to get such a small amount. Sure gives me motivation to build a better evaporator for next year. As long as the tress hold off budding this week, the temps are going down below zero for another week starting next weekend, so I should be good for at least a few more boils. Still have about 100 gallons to boil down this week.

[TylerMcT]

Shut the pumps off yesterday at noon small amount of sap was coming in but was cloudy. Forecast says -5 Celsius on Friday night then a high of 1 Saturday then back to seasonal temps after that. Any predictions as to weather or not that is going to reset things for another run?

[ennismaple]

I think it will re-set things Tyler. I'm boiling today's sap tomorrow and will then push through the evaporator with water so we can drain and wash it. I expect the cold temps for a few days will bring better sugar content and stronger flows. I recall us going from a dark amber (what was left in the pans) to a mid light in several hours boiling after a hard freeze.

[sinker]

Its flowing here today. Nice and clear. I'm SE of peterborough. The weekend looks ok too. I hope to catch up this weekend. I'm way below my usual average so far this year.

S.

[argohauler]

I see some of the soft maples have popped and they're bothering my wife's allergies. It starts freezing tonight, but daytime highs are really too low and then it stops freezing after Monday night. Should of tapped in January, but wasn't ready. Syrup has went to dark. Almost got hit by a 6" ash tree that uprooted in the wind yesterday.

[cat tech]

62 l of filtered bottled syrup, that's a wrap on this season. Not the easiest syrup season , but have made more than enough to share with all of family and friends.

[cat tech]

Well what can I say making syrup is a bug, I had said that I'd had made enough for the season and the taps would be pulled out. Well work got busy and the equpiment stayed up and the Easter weekend hit and the week since has been a full on flood of sap. The evaporator has been running none stop since easter Sunday and we have now added 68 litters of syrup to the allready made 54 l and there is still 5 drums of sap to boil down. Not sure what we are going to do with so much syurp but still having fun.

[MarkReynolds]

Anyone plan on tapping with these warm temps forecast, I was late to the game last year and don't want to miss out this year. What do you all think?

[canadian_diesel1964]

I am about 30 mins away from you west and have done a little walnut but temps are messed up at the moment so waiting here

[randomseeker]

I am seriously thinking about putting my taps in this weekend to take advantage of the next 10 days which look promising. That will be more than a month earlier than usual and am wondering whether I will pay a price 6 weeks down the road as the taps age. Any thoughts on that? Meanwhile I am heading to the Waterloo/Wellington Maple Producers Information Day in Elmira today (Jan 12) and will see what others are thinking. I just don't want to miss if we get an early spring.

[MarkReynolds]

Ya I'm afraid of the same thing if I start early and then it freezes up and my taps are in for another 6 weeks. Let me know what you hear in Elmira I can't make it.

[TylerMcT]

I know January thaws are tough to sit idle guys but with temps a few degrees above 0 with exception of a couple days around 8 above in the long range I would just sit tight. Spring will come!

[argohauler]

My forecast is really strange. It's about a 10 day thaw with no freezing nights. Not tapping here.

[SuzukiSapper]

Ya all the rain, mild temps recipe for Muddy Bush! DIY Tubing Tool

http://mapletrader.com/maplegallery/data/608/medium/image-2.jpg

[MarkReynolds]

Ya this week's forecast is 5-8 degrees but no freezing at night. I hope it just gets cold again and snows some.

[ennismaple]

If you want some snow you can come take some of ours! Only 12"-18" in the woods but there's a nasty crust on top that sometimes holds you up.

[Quabbin Hill Farms]

We only have 3-4 inches of snow in our bush. Mild here as well in eastern Ont. Plus temps all this week with freezing at night prime sap weather but i think I will wait a few more weeks before Ii get the drills out

[Galena]

OK guys listen up. We go through this situation every single year. January thaws are nothin new, and everyone starts wetting their panties thinking they can go start tapping. But if you go and tap now, first off you are probably tapping into trees that are still very thoroughly frozen and won't yield anything. And when the inevitable February freeze up comes, and you know it will, the resulting freeze can damage the trees - and that could mean trees that won't produce in the years to come.

So fer gawd's sake just sit tight and WAIT. FWIW I usually set my spiles during the first week of March, usually by March 7th.

[canadian_diesel1964]

OK guys listen up. We go through this situation every single year. January thaws are nothin new, and everyone starts wetting their panties thinking they can go start tapping.......etc.....So fer gawd's sake just sit tight and WAIT.

Now that's funny.....

[Galena]

Has happened every single year I've been a member here, Diesel. Weather gets warm after Christmas and noobs start asking if it's a good idea to start tapping. Well, if you want to kill your trees by having the trunks split open during the February freeze up, go right ahead.

[canadian_diesel1964]

Roger that Galena, I'm a noob 2nd year coming up but not tapping till I see a good freeze thaw pattern in march

[Millsy]

Anybody tapping this weekend?

[Galena]

Millsy...perhaps you should read the rest of this thread first. ....Weather gets warm after Christmas and noobs start asking if it's a good idea to start tapping. Well, if you want to kill your trees by having the trunks split open during the February freeze up, go right ahead. Leave your trees alone til at least March. Noobs!

[Millsy]

I had read it. Looking at the 2 week forecast I thought it looked favourable for tapping. Just wanted to see what the veterans thought

[Galena]

Assuming that you're a hobbyist, you have no real reason to worry about starting early in order to fulfil a contract or meet a quota like the pros here who do have such to meet, and yes, maybe they are preparing to tap soon. But they know what they're doing and have hundreds if not thousands of taps and the equipment (i.e. vacuum) and often generations of experience behind them.

I'm guessing you want to enjoy sugaring for years to come? Then be good to your trees. Leave them be, keep your equipment stashed away. Wait for a long-term warming trend; 2 weeks is not nearly long enough.

[BAP]

You aren't going to kill your trees or split them open by tapping early. A hard freeze up after tapping even lasting weeks is not going to harm the trees. If your trees split after freezing hard, then you are tapping them wrong. What will happen by tapping to early is the tap hole drying up before the season is done because bacteria causing the hole to start sealing up.

[Millsy]

Thanks BAP that's kind of what I had already researched. Hey Galena I'm down here in the Banana belt of southern Ontario. You are usually tapping another ten days to two weeks after we have stopped down here.
By the looks of the forecast I will wait another week and see. Tapped last year on the 20th of Feb and it was right on schedule.

[robinson lane]

I'm tapping Friday in SW Ontario. Last year I tapped Jan 31 and had no issues.

[Millsy]

Hey Robinson, are you on buckets or tube?

[robinson lane]

I'm all buckets

[MarkReynolds]

Hey Robinson and millsy where you at in southwestern Ontario?

[Galena]

Thanks BAP that's kind of what I had already researched. Hey Galena I'm down here in the Banana belt of southern Ontario. You are usually tapping another ten days to two weeks after we have stopped down here.
By the looks of the forecast I will wait another week and see. Tapped last year on the 20th of Feb and it was right on schedule.

OK, then if this time of year does work for you, go ahead. But I would still suggest looking at far more than a 2-week warming trend.

[mcrae]

Tapped some here today, well see how they run. but prob wont tap the rest for another week.

[robinson lane]

Yes I am in SW Ontario

[canadian_diesel1964]

SW here also just south and east of London....12 taps last year and 70 plus this year. walnut and mostly maple. some gravity lines and mostly buckets.

[MarkReynolds]

Just north of Woodstock 70ish all sugars this year buckets and a few drop lines.

[canadian_diesel1964]

Cool man! I think Galena has the very best of intentions. I know being from Ottawa myself that the season there starts later and goes later. Im looking at very little snow outside. and a warming trend that starts Thursday. Being close to the lake(Erie) changes everything. last year we had 2 seasons. Last one ended in early April. My trees are all on ridges and have exposed roots on one side. They give more than any other maples Ive ever seen being stressed that way. Im still learning so much.

[Galena]

Yes, you're right Diesel...I do mean well, and Jeez, you guys are south..if lake effect gives you 2 runs, go for it! But how exposed are the roots? I would think that it would be bad for the run.

[canadian_diesel1964]

I wish I could send you a video I have of my flow out of one of the trees...it's like a running tap. I'll try to get some pics up of the roots...

[canadian_diesel1964]

15410

Old faithful

[MarkReynolds]

Well weather in the Woodstock area next week is forecast for 8-10 during the day. But I'll see next Friday weather that weather continues for 2 weeks.

[canadian_diesel1964]

Too warm is bad for maples but great for walnuts as they will run for days in a row with out freezing at night. They don't give as much but it is great syrup

[MarkReynolds]

Do you tap them like maples I planned on tapping a big one on our road. I always wanted to try there syrup.

[canadian_diesel1964]

Same but sometimes you have to knock away some of the bark ....messes up your depth measurement on drilling

[canadian_diesel1964]

Today is a great example of SW ont weather...started with freezing rain , then into heavy rain, then sleet, then heavy snow, then 15 mins of sunshine, more rain, now a nasty wind storm....it's now plus 2 degrees C.

[MarkReynolds]

Yup freezing rain then heavy snow fall here now. Stupid weather make your mind up!

[canadian_diesel1964]

Yes now in a blizzard here....

[TylerMcT]

All you sugar makers in Elgin county im looking for sap to buy. Feel free to contact me on here or at 519 860 5208.

[argohauler]

Well weather in the Woodstock area next week is forecast for 8-10 during the day. But I'll see next Friday weather that weather continues for 2 weeks.

Yes looks like nearly a week here of no freezing nights starting Saturday. A February thaw, except there's really nothing to thaw. No snow, no frost in the bush, and the swamps will barely hold you up. So much for winter.

[MarkReynolds]

Yup not much snow left and swamps will thaw in a day with temps close to 10...

[canadian_diesel1964]

Just wondering if you guys get any carry over from one day to the next if there is not a freeze on a certain night? Does it have to freeze every night? Sometimes the temp is one or 2 but my trees are all well below the road line so I'm guessing a couple degrees colder then what it says for temp. Even a slight frost will do it.

[Run Forest Run!]

If you are at the height of the season and get some perfect conditions your trees can easily run like crazy for a couple of days without a freeze in between. I'm talking about having to empty the buckets at least twice a day with overflowing in between! It's hard to keep up on those wonderful days.

[canadian_diesel1964]

Thanx for the info I'm looking forward to it! ....this weekend will be interesting with plus 10 sat sun mon and 0 to -1 at night...get ready to roll! I have a cliff on my property and ran some 3/16 gravity tubing from a couple trees..it really does create a nice vacuum!

[STP92x]

With the warm sun today and the warm forecast for the next couple weeks I couldn't resist at least tapping the two trees in my backyard. Sap was flowing before I even got the tap in the hole. 15451

[canadian_diesel1964]

15452That's awesome! I wish I had some trees that were in the open like that...mine are all in valleys , on cliffs and ridges..what a work out

[JDP]

Are we all tapping this week for the weekend run or are some gonna wait??? We are tapping Thursday.
Let the season begin!

[MarkReynolds]

Talked to one of the largest producers in Oxford county and he has started drilling, needs to with around 5000 taps. But I think with the two week forecast the way it is I'll tap Friday.

[Run Forest Run!]

I'm waiting another couple of weeks. I'm afraid to look at the weather forecast until I finish cleaning up the basement. Winter is flying by and then all of the spring and summer jobs start!

[JDP]

Run Forest Run.......your gonna miss a big flow by the looks of the forecast. It seems early but I think winter is almost done. We dont want to miss this weekend and into next week. Game on.

[Run Forest Run!]

Run Forest Run.......your gonna miss a big flow by the looks of the forecast. It seems early but I think winter is almost done. We dont want to miss this weekend and into next week. Game on.

Darn you guys!!!! I just looked at the forecast and I can't believe my eyes. I might have to rethink the scheduling of the basement cleanup. hahaha

[MarkReynolds]

I thought it was going to be a cold and snow filled winter when we got all that snow back in November, but then it got warmer and warmer not much of a winter. But dry summer so let's hope for high sugar content!

[Millsy]

We are tapping Thursday.
Looking Good

[mcrae]

Tapped everything here yesterday. were running good too. looks like a great weekend.

[cat tech]

Can't believe it's this time of year again , the last couple years I keep doing the same thing. Look at the forcast think it's to early. But thanks to all of u that have the bug just as bad as I do I pull out the drill and get set up. Sure my buckets will probably get cover in a foot of snow yet ,but I'm sure I'll get some sap and have some fun. Look out ready or not it's maple syrup season.

[Galena]

With the warm sun today and the warm forecast for the next couple weeks I couldn't resist at least tapping the two trees in my backyard. Sap was flowing before I even got the tap in the hole. 15451

That's insane!

[Fireguy124]

Tapped my first trees today. First time making syrup sap was running. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170215/dfe8985c157e97fb28eba3a36335b106.jpg


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[cat tech]

Welcome to the world of making maple syrup, be careful before you know it ,u will be talking about maple syrup year round. And ohhhhhhhh the equipment, what works what doesn't how do I boil off water fastest, it never ends .

[MarkReynolds]

It's a addiction!! I'm stuck in limbo at 70 taps need a mini RO or bigger evaporator to expand but I could get 500 taps from my one bush and will at some point! Love it and annoy my wife all year long talking about it.

[canadian_diesel1964]

Tapped my first trees today. First time making syrup sap was running. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170215/dfe8985c157e97fb28eba3a36335b106.jpg


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Sweet Fireguy where you from...? Firefighter?