El Nino and maple production

[The Sweet Spot]

Who tapped in 1997 and what kind of year did you have? NOAA says the El nino of 2015 is stronger than that one! We are planning to up our game from 540 taps to 2000 on vacuum. Every study I have read says you get the most sap with new lines in the first year. We live in Northern Michigan, but would like to hear from anyone who wishes to respond. I have looked at NOAA's historical data and it looks like it was a good year. Now we get to see who keeps good records.
Thank you in advance. :confused:

[MISugarDaddy]

Not sure what the season is going to be like...realistically, no one does. But look at the bright side of things...the weather here in northern Michigan this year has sure been a lot better than it was last year!!! We are in Gaylord and it has been nice to be able to work in the woods getting more lines up and doing other syrup related activities. Good luck with the upcoming season.
Gary

[ennismaple]

We don't have detailed records that far back except total syrup produced. In 1997 we made slightly over the average from the 1989-1997 timeframe. Anything after 1998 gets thrown out the window for almost 10 years due to the ice storm and getting back up to "normal" production plus switching everything over to vacuum tubing.

[GeneralStark]

The last strong El Nino event was the 97-98 winter so the spring of 98 would be the "analogue" season.

Every El Nino event is different and the 97 - 98 here in VT started with above average snow and below average cold. And then the ice storm hit in early Jan. and for many sugarmakers pretty much ended the season before it started in New England.

My approach for this season is to be ready to tap early, perhaps even in January as this is starting to feel like the 2011-2012 year where winter never really came. If spring comes early and abruptly again it will likely be advantageous to take advantage of early thaws.

[PARKER MAPLE]

The last strong El Nino event was the 97-98 winter so the spring of 98 would be the "analogue" season.

Every El Nino event is different and the 97 - 98 here in VT started with above average snow and below average cold. And then the ice storm hit in early Jan. and for many sugarmakers pretty much ended the season before it started in New England.

My approach for this season is to be ready to tap early, perhaps even in January as this is starting to feel like the 2011-2012 year where winter never really came. If spring comes early and abruptly again it will likely be advantageous to take advantage of early thaws.

I can relate to this general. That spring throw me for a loop as well. Got caught totally off guard. I'm thinking of tapping a few in late January as well

[BreezyHill]

We tapped nothing that season due to all the limb damage. Took all the spare time of the summer to get dads lines back up and all the wood and damaged trees removed.

Keep your trails packed if we ever get snow to accommodate maintance of lines and easy access for tapping if we get a warm up predicted after we get a cold stretch.

Could be a great season if we can get cold nights and the highs don't get to high to fast.

1981 we were all done by march 15th. Lines cleaned and taps were all pulled. Good season but ended very early.