Fall update from Stroup's Sugarbush in Almont, MI

[claystroup]

Last year I tapped 20 trees and made 2 gallons on a small 20" x 38" evaporator I bought on Craigslist. That was enough to set the hook hard. I ordered and bought a new Mason 2' x 5' evaporator last spring. Next came a 180 gallon Delaval Stainless Milk tank out of the local newspaper for $50. Cut the old rusted steel shell off of it, cleaned it up and mounted it on a jet ski dolly with castor wheels-this will be my movable bulk storage tank. Now I can move it wherever I need it. Next I took the reclaimed lumber from the shipping container that Bill Mason packed my evaporator in and built a portable stand to put my 35 gallon head tank on to feed the evaporator. Walked the woods behind my house about 3-4 weeks ago and marked 80 sugar maples. No trails at all through the woods so I started working nights and weekends and finished cutting and clearing a 8' wide trail that makes a big loop through the 80 sugar maples. That was a huge job but should serve for many years and I have lost 10 pounds in the process! I can easily add on to it in the future to access more sugar maples farther back in the woods as I expand in the future. Took my 32 qt stainless steel finish pot in to the local steel shop last week and they made me a perforated drop in stainless rack for my filters to lay on. Still need to get out in the woods for another afternoon or so and clear walking trails off my main trail to 15-20 maples as I will be using buckets and sap bags to collect my sap. Should be starting in the next couple of weeks to insulate and brick my arch. Already have purchased all the fire bricks, ceramic insulation and 2 bags of vermiculite to fill in the back of the arch as I am using a flat pan for now. My brother is a general contractor and I will be borrowing his tile guys wet tile saw to cut the bricks. Have arranged to borrow my father in laws 4 x 6 John Deere Gator this season to haul sap in. Now the best for last: I officially retire on 12/31/16 so I will have a lot of time to make syrup this winter! Will work for my brother part time to make beer and fun money but should have lot's of time to make syrup this winter. If all goes well this winter I would like to build either a 12' x 16' or 14' x 18' sugar shack next summer as I currently boil outside. That's it for now. Clay Stroup

[johnpma]

Sounds like you have been working hard to get things in order and ready for the season. Best of luck this season. Look forward to some pictures

[lawrence d]

Clay
Sounds like you are all set for this season we are not to far apart I'm east of you near Goodells mi
I saved my old back and just hired a bull dozer to make trails around my woods
I tap reds mostly and boil on a home built arch using a flat pan
I am hoping you can give us a report on your new setup telling us the good / bad later this year
Lawrence

[claystroup]

Stroup"s Sugar Bush update 2-11-17:
1) Put out 80 taps yesterday in anticipation of a favorable weather pattern in the Thumb of Michigan over the next 3-4 days.
2) went out this morning and nothing was running yet so spent the rest of the day setting up my new Mason 2 x 5, 35 gallon header tank, 180 gallon stainless milk bulk tank out on my driveway apron so I am ready to go. Wife (director of finance) has approved me building a sugar shack (12 x 16 or 14 x 18) this coming summer so this will be my last year boiling outside-yeah!
3) Grabbed a beer when I was done around 4:30pm and went and walked my sugar bush and the smaller trees were starting to run-yeah! Maybe a quart of sap in the fullest bag.
4) Just went out at 8:30pm with a flashlight and checked 5 trees close to the house and significant increase in flow since 4:30pm. Hoping to have enough to boil on Monday.

Clay Stroup

[austin357]

I'M not too far away I'm in st Clair tapping tomorrow have one tree tapped I did about a week ago and it's not provided much yet but this evening it started dripping pretty good hope y'all have a great season let the sugarin begin 😁😁

[claystroup]

2/14/17 update: Collected 38 gallons yesterday and 75 gallons tonight. 2.3 percent overall. Will collect again tomorrow night and will boil starting Thursday morning and stay on it till it's done.

[claystroup]

2/19/17 update: 267 gallons collected so far and about 245 gallons boiled and just about 6 gallons produced. Will collect again tomorrow morning and resume boiling as long as the sap keeps flowing.