Tapped 1/23/2016

[wilos1]

I felt like it was a bit early, but with 7 of the next 10 days having temps above freezing I figured I better get something going. Put in 15 taps on Saturday. The trees were not running and I didn't even end up with a gallon over the weekend. I did manage to get all my equipment prepped though. I'll keep everyone posted on run and reserve the remainder of my taps for a little bit later.

[dogpatch]

The last 2 years I started on the same day, March 7th. I may start late Feb. if weather looks favorable. I added about 25 taps this year, for a total of 65. I am blessed with steep slope to put all my taps on 3/16 tubing, it works well . Tree rats need to be thinned out, as they chewed up a section from last year. Also added a pan from Stainlesssteelcreations. Good luck everyone

[wilos1]

Temperature reached 40 degrees yesterday. The trees did not start to run until the rain started in the early evening. They ran until about 9:30. Ended up with about 2.5 gallons of sap. Hopefully we get more run later in the week so that I can boil.

[old tom]

Put in 7 taps on Tus the 27th some were running yesterday more this weekend I hope. 50 miles southwest of Chicago

[Sapster]

I'm expecting to tap in a few weeks. The earliest I've tapped so far is Feb. 13th (2011). I usually tap the last week of Feb. or the first week of March.

wilos1, I notice we're in the same town. I'm surprised we haven't crossed paths yet. I'm next to Messenger Woods.

[wilos1]

Sapster, don't feel left out. I have only collected around 3 gallons of sap. The conditions were perfect over the weekend, but the sap just didn't seem to be flowing here. Today it is running a little bit better, but I have yet to collect for the day. I am also pretty close to Messenger Woods, in the neighborhood just off of Bruce and Cedar. Have 19 trees on the property to tap.

[old tom]

On Monday 2-1 I gathered about 30 gals of sap and another 20 gals this am it has been running steady but with no sun today it slowed up. 1 mile east of Joliet.

[Sapster]

old tom

It looks like you are in the neighborhood too (New Lenox?)! wilos1 and I are in the vicinity of 167th, Cedar Rd., and Bruce Rd. There are lots of sugar maples in the area. Thousands in Messenger Woods, but unfortunately they can't be tapped since they are on Forest Preserve property. In fact, the Forest Preserve cut many of them down a couple of years ago to keep from overtaking the oaks. It was heartbreaking to see.

[wilos1]

Over the weekend I had the best runs that I have seen since tapping, but still not all that impressive. I have 7 gallons to boil this morning, to bad the temperatures appear to be plunging for the remainder of the week.

[Flatlander]

Managed to get up(rebuild) all my lines this past weekend and got a couple of them tapped on Sunday. Planning to tap the rest this weekend for next weeks thaw. Dogwatch, I lost three lines to those pesky squirrels as well. Ended up rebuilding all those laterals with 3/16ths line. I'm now close to 1/3 of my taps on 3/16th now. Plan on changing out the rest as the tubing gets older and needs replaced.

Hoping for a good season this year. Wish I would have been ready for the last thaw but I just didn't get it together in time. Hope everyone has a good season!!

[TreeTapper2]

Looking to tap next week just before the temps rise. Leader Evaporator Co. came through for me, delivered supplies in three days. Rebuilt the block cooker with mortar so it won't shift during the season. I'll add AUF,hopefully, and increase my gpm. Bring it on!

[dogpatch]

Put in about half my taps today. Beautiful day to be in the woods. Trees with some sun started running. Will finish tapping tomorrow, hope for a boil on Friday.

[katmike]

Tapped day before yesterday. I am trying 3/16 tubing/gravity on 15 taps also.

Collected and boiled 50 gals last night. It has begun!

[dogpatch]

Finished tapping today. Ended up with 65 total. Was hoping to boil Friday but with 45mph winds I just hope my tarp enclosed deck doesn't blow away. Trees with sun were running strong today. Looks like next week will be busy.

[TreeTapper2]

We finished our 70 taps yesterday. Collected 10 gals this evening with some taps still dripping.
The next month looks great though that can change at anytime.
Still have to finish fire bricking the inside of the block evaporator. Did pick up my plate steel for the top today.

[Sapster]

33 taps in this afternoon.

[wilos1]

I now have all 30 of my taps in. Collected 10 gallons yesterday and 5 gallons the day before. Looks like there was strong run throughout the night. Hoping to boil later today, but might be a struggle with all this wind.

[wilos1]

Sap ran fairly steady all weekend. Boiled 37 gallons yesterday and have about 5 more gallons this morning.

[Sapster]

Had a great day Sat. Boiled 105 gallons to make 2-1/2 gallons of Golden Delicate syrup (also meets former Grade A Fancy). Sap was testing at 2.4°Brix, which explains my good boil ratio of 42-to-1. I hope the weather cooperates again this week.

[Tonyguzz@comcast.net]

Boiled 95 gallons on Saturday and collected another 135 gallons on Sat/Sun. 50 taps

[dogpatch]

Started with 65 taps but could not keep up with the flood of sap. Pulled 19 ,and still the sap is overwhelming. Have over 600 gal.think I'll pull another 8 to try and keep up. Good problem to have.

[TreeTapper2]

The weekend netted 174 gallons unfortunately that might be the last of it. Seems the weather man is not playing very nice. Short season with low sap totals. Thats nature for you. Still thankful for what we got.

[wilos1]

Looks like it is all over for 2016. I have about 6 gallons of sap sitting in the kegerator waiting to boil. Total syrup just under 5 gallons for the year. No grade A amber this year. Hopefully next year is kinder to all of us.

[Sapster]

Today was the end of a mediocre season. Had 110 gallons from 2/27-3/12 made very dark syrup. Previously had 105 gallons from 2/20-2/27 and made light amber. Got a 42:1 ratio both times. At least this was better than last year.