Tapped in Westfield

[mikelafond126]

Thanks to some great advice from guys on the site I tapped my first 15 trees. Some trees has sap flowing instantly others took a few hrs but all had sap at the end of the day.

[johnpma]

Was flowing pretty steady in Chesterfield.....tapped in 85 yesterday

[maple2]

3 of us tapped about 1200,today.Easier getting around now that the snow has settled some.

[johnpma]

3 of us tapped about 1200,today.Easier getting around now that the snow has settled some.
Wow! Great day for tapping

[GV2]

Tapped in West Granville today. 25 buckets all ran very good. 23 "same day" taps on a 3/16 was stingy. They were all running when tapped. In past years these trees all kept pace with all other buckets. Many hours to install the 3/16. About an hour hanging 25 buckets. Disappointed in the tubing for the moment, but with a year 2015 3/16 line I experimented with (different hillside) I did learn to be patient! PS: no visible leaks, 25 foot drop last tree to tank, but had to tapped about a 1/3 of the trees 6 feet high to maintain some slope on the zigzag in the stand. Maybe experiencing a head pressure issue. time will tell!

[johnpma]

Tapped in West Granville today. 25 buckets all ran very good. 23 "same day" taps on a 3/16 was stingy. They were all running when tapped. In past years these trees all kept pace with all other buckets. Many hours to install the 3/16. About an hour hanging 25 buckets. Disappointed in the tubing for the moment, but with a year 2015 3/16 line I experimented with (different hillside) I did learn to be patient! PS: no visible leaks, 25 foot drop last tree to tank, but had to tapped about a 1/3 of the trees 6 feet high to maintain some slope on the zigzag in the stand. Maybe experiencing a head pressure issue. time will tell! Some of my 5/16" gravity lines have not produced a drop, and others are pouring the sap into the storage containers. One of my small 20 gallon storage tanks was overflowing this morning. Just be patient

[Biz]

My 3/16 line in the woods ran great over the weekend. Using Shurflo pump with my S3 controller, 20-27" vacuum. Line of 39 taps (about 2/3 reds) produced 50 gallons by 5PM, overflowed my 30 gallon barrel once and still running strong well after dark.

[johnpma]

My 3/16 line in the woods ran great over the weekend. Using Shurflo pump with my S3 controller, 20-27" vacuum. Line of 39 taps (about 2/3 reds) produced 50 gallons by 5PM, overflowed my 30 gallon barrel once and still running strong well after dark. Glad to hear your vacuum system is working out for you Dave!! Nice job!!

[johnpma]

Was a bit cooler up this way today but was able to gather 50 gallons after work This warm spell is gloing to be interesting

Quick reading shows 1 1/2% sugar content

[johnpma]

Boiled down 40 gallons last night. Pretty impressed with the performance of my Mason 2 X 3 With oak slab wood I was able to get about 8 gph

[Aaron Stack]

Any others tapping in Westfield this year?

115 gallons collected Monday - Wednesday. First boil last night went through 45 gallons at 8 gph on my 20x30 pan. Focusing on following the stack temp vs timer for firing and getting the process down for the new setup. Wondering how to maintain a good boil with "only" 1000 degree reading. Very little wood was pinning the needle. More boiling and practice tonight before the storm and the weekend temp forecast looks like I might catch up with the sap.

Good luck on the season to everyone.

[berkshires]

Any others tapping in Westfield this year?

Not far from you as the crow flies, but a lot colder up in the foothills at 900 feet. Temps barely pegged lower 50s in this latest run, when I think they were much warmer for you. Sounds like you're off to a great start! Over 2 GTP for just one run, right? Or did you have any trees tapped for the run last week? I came in at 1.5 GPT for each of the first two runs, and I threw away a *lot* of ice (close to half). Certainly saves on boiling time!

Also, you're getting better evaporation than I am, and on a smaller pan. I have a Mason 2x3 and I can get close to 8 GPH, but have never quite hit that mark. So I think you're doing well. I don't have a blower, do you?

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Lucky you on getting both runs. I was finishing up the sugarhouse thanks to my Dad's fantastic help - he's become addicted as well. This was the first run. I tapped Saturday but it was cold through Monday afternoon. It was really all Tuesday and Wednesday's production. I do have a blower but used it on low sparingly. It turned the pan into a volcano but the stack temps were high. I used it for a bit after firing then would turn it off.

The gage readings stop at 1200 so I'd think 1600 (pin temp maybe) - 1800. At 1100 it still boiled but 1200+ it ratcheted up to a nice roar. Good to hear 8 is where it should be. Last year I was in 12-14 range, but did go through two chimneys, hence the focus on stack temps. This one is rated for 1000 continuous and higher depending on the duration.

Still 70 Gallons to go through this weekend and Wednesday forward looks good.

[Aaron Stack]

Haven't collected since Wednesday, but pulled 23 gallons at 2.2 - 3.4% today. 5 gallons at 2% from the Norway at home so it's still going strong

[Aaron Stack]

Quick season. Last collected and boiled yesterday with 6 gallons in the freezer for bottling. Pulling taps and starting cleanup this weekend.

[berkshires]

Six gallons is nothing to sneeze at! I'm still at only 2. Still, why the short season?

GO

[Aaron Stack]

The buds on the reds all popped early in the week and the hot days turned the sap in the tank cloudy. I was surprised to see the sap in the warming pan go from clear Tuesday evening to a gooey, cloudy soup by Wednesday morning. I only collected 7 gallons from the 23 high producing sugars Wednesday and used that to push a final half gallon out of the pan.

I'm happy with it, but was shooting for 10. I have about 5 gallons of sweet in the freezer to finish off on the turkey fryer so I'll get a little more.

Learned a lot this season. Sap temperature control will probably be the focus of this year's upgrade. I fought frozen and then spoiling sap so need to work on that. A larger evaporator would also solve that issue :)

It's Maple Weekend here in Mass so I have plans to visit a few local operations Sunday to see how the bigger folks do it.

[Aaron Stack]

Usually by the time an addict admits things its way out of control - hah! But I'm faced with needing a new laptop and every time I look at them I compare what the cost is to a new maple upgrade. 7 months to go...

[Pdiamond]

Go for the maple upgrade. By the time you get a new laptop it is outdated anyway.

[Aaron Stack]

Taps on the drops and looking at tapping Sunday. Cutting the tap count to 25 on 11 trees but these were my better producers so I might only loose 20% of the sap. I also dumped a good 10% last year so overall a more efficient operation. Two weeks earlier than the first two years and wondering if I'll see a lighter grade.

Happy boiling

[Paul01036]

Taps on the drops and looking at tapping Sunday. Cutting the tap count to 25 on 11 trees but these were my better producers so I might only loose 20% of the sap. I also dumped a good 10% last year so overall a more efficient operation. Two weeks earlier than the first two years and wondering if I'll see a lighter grade.

Happy boiling

I plan on tapping myself. Looking forward to a good season with my new set up. Last year was outside, this year in a shack with a hood system.

Stay warm today and charge your drills!

[berkshires]

Taps on the drops and looking at tapping Sunday. Cutting the tap count to 25 on 11 trees but these were my better producers so I might only loose 20% of the sap. I also dumped a good 10% last year so overall a more efficient operation. Two weeks earlier than the first two years and wondering if I'll see a lighter grade.

Happy boiling

I'm all for efficiency as well. I don't need a boat load of syrup.

I'm tapping Sunday too. Good luck on your season Aaron! I'm all

[Amberleaf Maple]

Did you tap this weekend?

[Aaron Stack]

Thanks Gabe - Hope your season is plentiful

Amberleaf - Yep, just got home. Several of the taps were flowing as soon as I removed the bit from the hole. Wasn't sure that was going to happen with the sub zero temps the last couple days, but they were.

[berkshires]

Thanks Gabe - Hope your season is plentiful

Amberleaf - Yep, just got home. Several of the taps were flowing as soon as I removed the bit from the hole. Wasn't sure that was going to happen with the sub zero temps the last couple days, but they were.

I tapped today too, but even with the thermometer hitting 45 I didn't get a drop. Not worried, though, this week's forecast still looks good.

GO

[Amberleaf Maple]

All 28 tapped today 4pm were running when drilled.
Truck is loaded to tap another 30 after work tomorrow in Westfield and Southwick at two friends that are nice enough to collect from their trees after I tap them.
I thought today was not going to thaw out the trees to get any flow but mother nature provided.

[berkshires]

Interesting that y'all were getting sap. I guess a few hundred feet in elevation will do that. I know I usually see a temperature drop off about three degrees between Westfield and Chester.

GO

[Amberleaf Maple]

22 more tapped in Westfield and 8 more in Southwick all running tonight when drilled. It is going to be interesting with out having any snow to hold the buckets or to make a snow hold to keep the sap from spoiling or to keep collected buckets from freezing during extreme lows.

[Aaron Stack]

57 gallons collected since Sunday and all boiled as of tonight. No freeze in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow's looking at 55 degrees so not sure what to expect
after only 7 gallons today. No syrup yet but I was hitting 6 degrees above boiling as the sap ran out so should have my first draw by Saturday - tomorrow if I get a good collection day.

[berkshires]

57 gallons collected since Sunday and all boiled as of tonight. No freeze in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow's looking at 55 degrees so not sure what to expect
after only 7 gallons today. No syrup yet but I was hitting 6 degrees above boiling as the sap ran out so should have my first draw by Saturday - tomorrow if I get a good collection day.
Aaron, you may remember there's a house at the base of the dirt road our cabin is on. Well the guy there let me tap three of his trees. One good thing about that is I can call him and see what's in the buckets, instead of driving two hours to find empty buckets! Well I called him yesterday expecting to hear about buckets getting full. Nope. He said they're all still pretty empty. So either those trees are duds or the woods up in the hills where I'm at are still frozen up. Still I think tomorrow should loosen them up a bit. I hope!

GO

[berkshires]

Meanwhile one tree I tapped in my front yard (western suburbs of Boston) has been gushing. Closing in on four gallons since Sunday. Better yet, I measured the sap at 2.6%!

[Aaron Stack]

Meanwhile one tree I tapped in my front yard (western suburbs of Boston) has been gushing. Closing in on four gallons since Sunday. Better yet, I measured the sap at 2.6%!

I think Friday should wake them up for you with the warm weather. Nice sugar % on your city tree - I am getting between 2% and 3% once mixed in the collection buckets. My Norway here at the house is giving the 3% and gives lots of sap daily.

[berkshires]

I think Friday should wake them up for you with the warm weather. Nice sugar % on your city tree - I am getting between 2% and 3% once mixed in the collection buckets. My Norway here at the house is giving the 3% and gives lots of sap daily.

Glad things are flowing nicely for you and you are getting high sugar. Have you boiled yet?

Yeah I'm hoping things wake up today. I plan to head out and do my first boil tomorrow. Hopefully I'll find something in the buckets to boil LOL!

Oh, btw, I've heard mixed things about using Norway maples. Some day it makes the sap pop and act weird in the evaporator. I have a good sized one in my yard I haven't tapped. What do you think?

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Glad things are flowing nicely for you and you are getting high sugar. Have you boiled yet?

Yeah I'm hoping things wake up today. I plan to head out and do my first boil tomorrow. Hopefully I'll find something in the buckets to boil LOL!

Oh, btw, I've heard mixed things about using Norway maples. Some day it makes the sap pop and act weird in the evaporator. I have a good sized one in my yard I haven't tapped. What do you think?

GO

I've boiled all 57 gallons collected Sunday - Thursday as of last night so I'll start tomorrow morning with just what was in the pan. This year I am trying to boil much more often, if not daily, instead of the weekend marathon boils I've done so far. I bet you'll be swimming in sap tomorrow. Collected 40 gallons today, and we hit mid-fifties. Weekend plans include boiling, boiling and more boiling to stay ahead of the nice week in the forecast.

The only thing I noticed about the Norway is that the sap tends to look blue compared to the clear water-like sap I get from the Sugar Maples. I've heard popping, but usually that's the sign for me its time to drain and clean the niter out of the pan. I say go for it if you have an extra bucket to transport what home gives you. It's supposed to be a 60:1 ratio for Norway but with an average of 3% the past two years and it being in my top 3 for sap I'm more than happy with mine.

[Aaron Stack]

Got a half gallon of Golden Delicate today :)

The niter built up pretty good. I had the tell-tale popping, then after a bit even though the stack temp was good with an internal temp showing 1200 and the external 300 (double wall stack) and I had a good flow going into the pan maintaining 1 1/2", the pan temp kept dropping and dropping. Not entirely sure why so I'll drain and clean out the pan tomorrow morning and see how it goes. It was my fourth boil for a total of about 85 gallons so it might just be I need to have a regiment of when to clean the pan based on gallons boiled. Something to think about that I haven't yet.

Tried the Murphy cup this year as well. Sure made it easy to draw right into the cup and measure density before filtering.

[Pdiamond]

Gotta love that. It sure makes it easy to measure density.

[berkshires]

I bet you'll be swimming in sap tomorrow.

You were right Aaron. 63 gallons of sap on 23 taps. Good sugar level too. Sweetened the pan and made a half gallon of golden delicate.

Congrats on finally making golden delicate, Aaron!

GO

[Aaron Stack]

You were right Aaron. 63 gallons of sap on 23 taps. Good sugar level too. Sweetened the pan and made a half gallon of golden delicate.

Congrats on finally making golden delicate, Aaron!

GO

63, Nice! 35 more today for me.

Yesterday and today the syrup grade turned to Amber Rich. Just shy of a gallon total between the two boils along with the Golden Delicate 1/2 gallon from Saturday so far. Almost time to use the tank - Still 20 gallons in the buckets inside and the rest of the week might be a challenge if I get more big collection days. Which I should based on the forecast. This weekend will be looong days of boiling for sure.

[Aaron Stack]

Anyone else having foam issues or is it just me?

I just cleaned out the pan yesterday and by the end of the tonight's boil I had the first and second chamber filled with foam so I'll be cleaning again tomorrow. No syrup last night in a short 2.5 hour boil and today only a quart. Grade has moved to Dark Robust - a bit lighter than the test kit but definitely darker than the Amber Rich I had Sunday and Monday.

Maintaining level, stack internal and external temps in range, diligently adding 4 drops of defoamer every firing, and syrup density came at the usual 8-9 degrees above boiling so I am not sure if it is my process or the crazy weather.

Any thoughts?

[Amberleaf Maple]

I would go with the weather. I had two years off and the quantity of sap from the same trees is far less. I used to get 2.5 to 4 gallons of sap from each tap in 24 hours where this year I am lucky to collect less than that once a week.

[berkshires]

No foam issues for me. My only issue was drowning in sap this week. 111 gallons on 23 taps just from Sunday morning to Wednesday night. Nearly every bucket was overflowing.

GO

[Aaron Stack]

I think my problem was the new cup - it's just to big for my tiny little pan. I switched back to the old one and presto - I've boiled 83 gallons producing just shy of two gallons this weekend and no issues with the gradient. After three cleanings last week I realized it wasn't really foaming, it was a solid build up of sugary crystals on the bottom of the front section that came off with a bit of elbow grease and a flat razor each time. Gently with lots of piping hot water to avoid scratching.

The solution of course is to go bigger! 1 more year on this arch then I'll really take the plunge for 2025. I figure a 2x4 will fit nicely in the sugarhouse and I have offers to tap trees next to my main site. After this season is done our plan is to give RO a shot and go back to the 50 taps.

1/2 gallon Golden Delicate, 3/4 gallon of Amber Rich, and 2.5 of Dark Robust so far. Not bad for two full weeks.

[eustis22]

new cup? this means...quoi?

[LMP Maple]

Yep definitely the sugar sand. I am getting a lot of it this year as well even with reversing the pans regularly. The only way to really get it off is a good cleaning. I use a pressure washer and a plastic scrapper made by pampered chef, wife is real happy about that. It is the only thing I have found that will not scratch. When the pans start to foam I know it needs to be cleaned. If you leave it too long you can run the risk of burning the pans so as with everything be careful. 2X4 sounds good especially is your GPH will go up. My wish list includes a steam away next year. Its all about GPH for me for now my sugar house size is maxed. If I ever build again it will be a 2X6 Smokey Lake oil fired, thats my dream rig. I like to boil but 3 hour boils would be plenty for me, you know with this thing called a real job and all :lol:

[Pdiamond]

LMP I think I remember that thing you are talking about , job hmmm, maybe, then again, maybe not. Been retired since last year officially, but was taken off of work because of my back in August of 2014. Not working sucks!

[Aaron Stack]

Haven't boiled since last Monday 02/20. Only about 25 gallons collected all week due to cold days, cloudy days, rainy days, and now our first snow of the year yesterday. Brought the sweet up to boiling on Sunday to keep things "fresh" and the 25 gallons in the sugar house were frozen solid. Today through Tuesday looks like things should start flowing again so tonight I'll be working on the trails and cleaning the pan in anticipation.

Lost a huge branch on a 3-tap red maple that usually buds first, somehow it missed the buckets on it's way down. The buds are swollen and ready to pop on that one, and once they do I usually have two weeks or so left. Typically I am done by the 19th/20th so hoping the forecast is right and we have another run to finish off the season.

[Aaron Stack]

No time to boil this weekend but sap is back and flowing with a vengeance - 93 gallons collected this morning (Thursday - Sunday am) - just about every 5-gallon bucket was full! Needed the tank for the first time and have 135 gallons ready to start the week. A week where the forecast looks spectacular.

[Aaron Stack]

Ended up starting from scratch Monday. I had a hard time learning how to tell if the sweet was spoiled and it had been two weeks since my last boil and a week since a mini-boil to kill off the bacteria so thought it was best. Got a quart Thursday and yesterday ended up with 1 gallon and a half pint so one of my better boiling days. 5 gallons of syrup so far this season and 80 gallons of sap in the tank.

The reds buds popped and 1 of 2 taps on my backyard Norway dried up so down to 21 taps. In it until the end which historically should be the 19th or 20th.

[Aaron Stack]

Boiled Sunday and Monday for another 1 gallon & 3 quarts of dark with a fantastic buttery flavor and closing in on 7 gallons. Over 500 gallons of sap collected so far but starting to pull taps as they dry up so down to 19. Not too shabby an output for 25 taps.

Emptied the tank Sunday then added another 56 gallons with Sunday and Monday's collecting so I'll be back at it this afternoon. Only Friday shows no overnight freezing through Sunday and hoping the cold & snow keeps the trees in winter mode a bit longer.

[Aaron Stack]

Pulled my taps on Friday after being down to only 5 still producing clear sap for a final 14 gallons collected. Ended up with a little over a half gallon for a total of 8 gallons in the freezer. Cleaned buckets yesterday and have three gallons of sweet in the freezer for the final back yard boil on the propane stove next weekend. Cleaning the pan and setting up the vinegar month-long soak tonight and will sanitize the buckets and lids after work this week.

[johnpjackson]

Pulled my taps on Friday after being down to only 5 still producing clear sap for a final 14 gallons collected. Ended up with a little over a half gallon for a total of 8 gallons in the freezer. Cleaned buckets yesterday and have three gallons of sweet in the freezer for the final back yard boil on the propane stove next weekend. Cleaning the pan and setting up the vinegar month-long soak tonight and will sanitize the buckets and lids after work this week.

I think I'm almost done, too. I've had a couple of short boils in the past week. The weather for the next two days looks good for a bit more sap and then after that it doesn't look like any more in sight. I'm down to just the dozen or so taps that I put in a couple of weeks ago. That's been a nice way to extend my season, I've decided.

I'm also going to do what you said - put vinegar into my evaporator and let it soak. If I end up with a shiny clean pan in a month I'd be thrilled!!

[Aaron Stack]

I think I'm almost done, too. I've had a couple of short boils in the past week. The weather for the next two days looks good for a bit more sap and then after that it doesn't look like any more in sight. I'm down to just the dozen or so taps that I put in a couple of weeks ago. That's been a nice way to extend my season, I've decided.

I'm also going to do what you said - put vinegar into my evaporator and let it soak. If I end up with a shiny clean pan in a month I'd be thrilled!!

50/50 water and vinegar that is. I bring it up to a boil and the residue lifts right off almost instantly. I gave it a good hard scrubbing so it was pretty clean to begin with, but it does shine when done. Once everything is cleaned up I can bottle, make sugar and take another try at candy before lawn season hits.

[Old County Road]

If you leave sap in your pans for about a month it really cleans the pans well. Better than vinegar in my opinion. It smells kind of gross when you have to empty the pans, but it really cleans up everything nicely and it is free.

[Aaron Stack]

If you leave sap in your pans for about a month it really cleans the pans well. Better than vinegar in my opinion. It smells kind of gross when you have to empty the pans, but it really cleans up everything nicely and it is free.

I’ve read that method on here to. That it turns more or less into vinegar and does the same.

[berkshires]

Pulled my taps on Friday after being down to only 5 still producing clear sap for a final 14 gallons collected. Ended up with a little over a half gallon for a total of 8 gallons in the freezer. Cleaned buckets yesterday and have three gallons of sweet in the freezer for the final back yard boil on the propane stove next weekend. Cleaning the pan and setting up the vinegar month-long soak tonight and will sanitize the buckets and lids after work this week.

9+ gallons on 25 taps is a great season! Last year I was very happy to get 6 gallons on 23 taps.

Almost all my taps are still running hard. For the third time this season I collected over 100 gallons this week. Which is remarkable when you consider I only collect once a week and a number of my buckets are three and four gallons. But some are larger, and nearly all were overflowing.

I think I will pull my taps next weekend. I'm way past out of wood, I'm tired, and I've got other projects I need to focus on. Any way you slice it this had been an outstanding season for me. Time to wrap it up.

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Final cleanups this weekend and planning to kick off 2024 tapping next Saturday Feb 3 with 25 taps.

Wanted to go earlier but looking at earlier years, the season ends March 19-20 like clockwork. Last year on the 20 x 30 and almost settled on next year's upgrade to grow.

Good luck to all and remember... it's a hobby :)

[Paul01036]

I live in Hampden MA, looking to tap this weekend as well. Here is to a great 2024!

[Aaron Stack]

Good luck Paul!

[Aaron Stack]

All 25 taps in and they be a gushing.

[berkshires]

All 25 taps in and they be a gushing.

Great to hear! Hope they keep going for a good long time. I'm tapping in a couple of days. Very early for me but mother nature calls the shots, not the calendar.

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Just over 50 gallons in the tank after last night's collection so first boil on tap for this evening. Let the games begin.

What a difference in effort collecting with no snow on the ground!

[Paul01036]

Just over 50 gallons in the tank after last night's collection so first boil on tap for this evening. Let the games begin.

What a difference in effort collecting with no snow on the ground!Congrats Aaron! it is actually nice to collect without the snow on the ground. I do miss the additional help keeping the sap on ice though.....

[bigschuss]

Just over 50 gallons in the tank after last night's collection so first boil on tap for this evening. Let the games begin.

What a difference in effort collecting with no snow on the ground!

Good to hear Aaron.

Funny...I actually NEED snow on the ground or collecting becomes a muddy quagmire.

[berkshires]

Just over 50 gallons in the tank after last night's collection so first boil on tap for this evening. Let the games begin.

What a difference in effort collecting with no snow on the ground!

Funny, it's only a short distance as the crow flies, but quite a bit difference at my cabin in Chester. Even with chains on the tires it took me a dozen tries to get up the steep driveway to my cabin. And it's south facing! Even so, the sun and the warmth did do their thing, and many of the trees were dripping a little when i tapped them today.

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Congrats Aaron! it is actually nice to collect without the snow on the ground. I do miss the additional help keeping the sap on ice though.....

Agreed Paul - We usually pack some old recycle bins with snow and use the squares to build an igloo-type wall inside the carport to keep things cool but not this year.

[Aaron Stack]

98 gallons collected since Sunday with all but yesterday's 30 boiled. Almost to syrup.... almost

[Paul01036]

keep it going Aaron!
Nice job!

[berkshires]

98 gallons collected since Sunday with all but yesterday's 30 boiled. Almost to syrup.... almost

Nice! Four days at a gallon per tap per day is a hell of a great way to start off the season. Congrats!

GO

[Aaron Stack]

39 more gallons this morning puts me at 137 for 6 days - an average of 5.48 gallons per tap :)

Got my first draw off of syrup of the season early in the day, just shy of a quart, but that was it before the end of boiling for the day. I've had that happen before and it is usually followed the next day by a decent number of draws. Just a little bit darker than Golden Delicate so starting the season with Amber Rich.

About 20 gallons left to boil plus whatever might be in the buckets in the morning. Temps hit 59 degrees and the spiders, flies, and other bugs were all active - on Feb 10th!

[Aaron Stack]

151 total gallons for the week (on 25 taps!) and 3/4 gallon of Amber Rich in the freezer. I am all out of sap to boil to boot.

Snow here Tuesday and tomorrow I'll be back at boiling whatever I get to stay ahead of the deluge that usually happens in early March.

[berkshires]

151 total gallons for the week (on 25 taps!) and 3/4 gallon of Amber Rich in the freezer. I am all out of sap to boil to boot.

Snow here Tuesday and tomorrow I'll be back at boiling whatever I get to stay ahead of the deluge that usually happens in early March.

151 gallons off 25 taps is a monster of a first week! Should be a bit more today, before the snow and cold shuts us down down again for the week.

Cheers!

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Well... After 151 gallons last week bottoming out at 1.5% I have a whopping 16 gallons since. About the same in ice hockey pucks.

Mon and Tues look like they should be good days so planning to drain and clean the pan Saturday.

[berkshires]

It'll be good for the trees to get a nice reset. Hopefully your sugar content will ++ from it. Looks like up in my neck of the woods, starting Weds or Thurs another run should start. But seeing as how that's almost a week away, the forecast could change 20 times between now and then, so who knows.

Meanwhile all the trees being shut down is making me antsy. I had one great week, and now here I am sitting on my hands for a week and a half. I feel like a junky jonesing for a fix!

GO

[Aaron Stack]

I had one great week, and now here I am sitting on my hands for a week and a half. I feel like a junky jonesing for a fix!

GO

Exactly how I feel!

[Paul01036]

Well this cold snap really slowed things down. All my sap out in the buckets is frozen solid. I was hoping to boil over the long weekend, I guess Mother Nature had other plans.

Who’s in the same boat?

[Aaron Stack]

Well this cold snap really slowed things down. All my sap out in the buckets is frozen solid. I was hoping to boil over the long weekend, I guess Mother Nature had other plans.

Who’s in the same boat?

Same here. Did an overnight soak of 1:3 vinegar to water with a small bit of elbow grease before and after and the pan is cleaned and shiny. Hoping tomorrow afternoon gets something going for the next couple days.

[Aaron Stack]

Pulled lots of ice out of the buckets and ended up with about 10 gallons total sap for the long weekend and a 25-gallon iceberg in the tank. Enough sap to get a good 30-minute boil going since I last boiled on the 11th. Don't see anything squirrely with the sweet.

[Paul01036]

Like they say, ice is a poor man’s RO. I did the same this afternoon Aaron. I ended up with about 20 gallons which really isn’t enough to boil as it takes my 2x4 10 gallons ( I have a Smokey Lake propane) unit.

[berkshires]

I haven't done a thing since last weekend. Only had very minor drips, really, and everything is frozen solid in buckets. As for my pan, I covered it when it was still boiling, and it's been cold, so I'm not worried about my sweet. No point in doing anything with the frozen buckets, and no flow expected until this Thursday. I plan to collect and boil again on Sunday.

GO

[berkshires]

On an unrelated note, I was skiing with the family yesterday in NH, and Bascoms was only a short side trip, so instead of paying an arm and a leg for shipping this year I schlepped them all with me to pick up stuff in person. Wow, felt like a kid in a candy store. There was barely time for me to look around, as we had to hurry to meet friends at the slope, but it was still a fun experience I'd recommend to anyone who has the chance.

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Finally had some sap flowing. 30 gallons around 4:00 pm yesterday and another 15 this morning for around 65 in the tank. Boiled all day and got a second gallon of syrup for the season. Its darker than Amber Rich and lighter than Dark Robust so DR it is.

Bunch of 50+ degree days in the forecast this week so sap should be flowing.

[Paul01036]

Glad to hear your success in struggling with frozen sap, I hope I can pull it out tomorrow night after tomorrow’s weather. It’s been colder than forecasted which has left me waiting. At least it’s frozen I guess.

It looks to be ok but I’ll find out once it thaws. Does anyone see an issue. It’s about 4-5 days old

[Aaron Stack]

Glad to hear your success in struggling with frozen sap, I hope I can pull it out tomorrow night after tomorrow’s weather. It’s been colder than forecasted which has left me waiting. At least it’s frozen I guess.

It looks to be ok but I’ll find out once it thaws. Does anyone see an issue. It’s about 4-5 days old

25 or so gallons of the sap I boiled Saturday had been what I collected and in the tank mostly frozen since the 12th. Slightly cloudy but nothing else going on so I boiled it. I didn't taste any issues with the syrup so I think you'll be OK.

[Paul01036]

Crazy, I went down to my lines and buckets last night to check on any wind damage. To my surprise there was about 50 gallons in the buckets that I had to bring up. I wasn't expecting that but I know what I will be doing tonight! On a side note what are you seeing for sugar content this year in the sap. I tested one of my buckets and its reading 1.5 to 1.75 on the sap hydrometer.

[berkshires]

Crazy, I went down to my lines and buckets last night to check on any wind damage. To my surprise there was about 50 gallons in the buckets that I had to bring up. I wasn't expecting that but I know what I will be doing tonight! On a side note what are you seeing for sugar content this year in the sap. I tested one of my buckets and its reading 1.5 to 1.75 on the sap hydrometer.

My sugar content is by far the highest I've ever seen it. It's 0.6% higher than average, and 0.35% above my previous best year. Of course that will probably drop a little as the season progresses. That's on my trees in the Berkshires. My one yard tree in the Boston suburbs is the opposite. It got decimated by fungus and also had a mast year. It's sugar is down from 2.5% last year to 1.7% this year!

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Crazy, I went down to my lines and buckets last night to check on any wind damage. To my surprise there was about 50 gallons in the buckets that I had to bring up. I wasn't expecting that but I know what I will be doing tonight! On a side note what are you seeing for sugar content this year in the sap. I tested one of my buckets and its reading 1.5 to 1.75 on the sap hydrometer.

I left my buckets uncollected Wednesday night thinking that would help keep them in place during the wind storm and was glad to see no issues yesterday and 55 gallons collected. That was 111 gallons collected in three days. Expecting another good collection day tomorrow morning and then I'll be boiling away for the weekend. I've only tested twice this season and haven't seen 2% yet but the syrup tastes good and I don't mind some extra boiling time.

Long term forecast shows no freezing until next weekend so this might be it - though I am in it until the end so let's hope this week doesn't follow the forecast.

[Aaron Stack]

197 gallons collected this past week and all boiled as of last night. Tested the output from the tank and it is coming at at about 1.5 again or slightly under.

A question for the Maple world:

My Norway Maples are starting to grown little fingers from the buds - is that "budding" and the end or do I wait until I see actual leaves pop? The Red Maple that usually pops open first and I use as a guide hadn't as of yesterday morning, but with 65 degree temps yesterday I wouldn't be surprised if they are today.

In it until the end and hope everyone's season is still going.

[berkshires]

197 gallons collected this past week and all boiled as of last night. Tested the output from the tank and it is coming at at about 1.5 again or slightly under.

A question for the Maple world:

My Norway Maples are starting to grown little fingers from the buds - is that "budding" and the end or do I wait until I see actual leaves pop? The Red Maple that usually pops open first and I use as a guide hadn't as of yesterday morning, but with 65 degree temps yesterday I wouldn't be surprised if they are today.

In it until the end and hope everyone's season is still going.

Did you boil all 197 gallons last night? Wow, that must've been a looong boil! What rate do you get on your evaporator? I had a long boil myself yesterday, 125 gallons put on the evaporator, made over three gallons of nearup.

Regarding budding, I don't really know, but if I'm worried, I'll take a little of the sap from the tree I'm concerned about and boil it on the stove before combining it with the rest. Also, on red maples, their flowers go first, and then the leaves. When the flowers are blooming apparently that doesn't affect the sap, it's only when the leaves pop that the sap gets buddy.

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Boiled Saturday and Sunday both looong days. I’m getting 10+ gph out of my evaporator this season and definitely approached 15 hours between the two days. Only a gallon and a quarter so in the 1-1.25% range sugar. Numbers are rough (note to self keep better track next year!).

I’ll give a try testing today and see what I get!

[Paul01036]

Congrats Aaron and I hope you got some sleep today. I boiled up everything I had and picked up another 60 or so gallons yesterday for the days total boil of just around 100 gallons. I use a propane evaporator, I started around 8:30 and finished up around 3:30 I assume your on wood.

Generally I draw off and finish it in a pot because I don't trust myself going lower than that. I am in the burnt syrup club and trust me, I never want to do it again! Yesterday I decided to go lower and went as low as 1" of depth in the pan yesterday before I shut it down and drew off everything I could. The nice thing with using propane is one you shut it down, your done in a few minutes.

I bottle in canning jars, what do you guys use and what size? I'm in this for a hobby and something to do with my grandson before golf season starts, so I am ok with making a few gallons to give away.....

[Aaron Stack]

Boiled Saturday and Sunday both looong days. I’m getting 10+ gph out of my evaporator this season and definitely approached 15 hours between the two days. Only a gallon and a quarter so in the 1-1.25% range sugar. Numbers are rough (note to self keep better track next year!).

I’ll give a try testing today and see what I get!

Let me restate my boiling! I boiled every night except Thursday and Friday. 197 for the week, but started Saturday with 95 in the tank after collecting 40 in the am and got another 28 Sunday. The 1.25 gallons was Saturday and Sunday results and got another 1.75 from the weeks boils. So overall a productive week! I have 5.5 gallons so far so on track for the seasons estimate.

Just picked up another 27 so I’ll be boiling that - no budding yet!

[bigschuss]

Boiled Saturday and Sunday both looong days. I’m getting 10+ gph out of my evaporator this season and definitely approached 15 hours between the two days. Only a gallon and a quarter so in the 1-1.25% range sugar. Numbers are rough (note to self keep better track next year!).

I’ll give a try testing today and see what I get!

Same here Aaron. I had about 90 three gallon frozen slugs of ice to go through. Made for a long weekend. Sap ran good here in Savoy on Wed. and then everything froze solid Thursday. But, got through almost all of it by Sunday afternoon. Was able to sweeten my pan and draw off a gallon. Boiled 40 more yesterday and made another gallon. Have about 20 more to boil today after work.

[berkshires]

I’m getting 10+ gph out of my evaporator this season

That is really really impressive for a 20x30 flat pan!!! Mine is 2x3, also on a Mason, and I'm very happy I'm getting around 11 1/2 GPH. My pan is nearly 50% bigger than yours, and your evaporation rate is close to mine. That's amazing!

I also had a long day. I boiled on Sunday. Had to do some repairs to the evaporator that took longer than I'd like, and had a complicated collection due to having to swap barrels after my fiasco with a leaky barrel last week. And then my neighbor down the hill (who has two trees I tap) wanted help with something while I was collecting there. All that meant I didn't get started until 11:15. I then put 125 gallons of sap on the evaporator over the next 10 hours. Then after shut down and clean up, a two hour drive to get home. Why do we do this again? LOL

It would not have been so much to boil except that last weekend when I collected everything was solid ice, so I just broke it up and tossed it in all the barrels I could spare, and left it in the sun to melt. So then I collected and boiled a weeks worth of new sap plus what had melted out from the ice blocks all on Sunday. Set myself a new record for sap put on the evaporator in a day, and made 3+ gallons of syrup.

GO

[berkshires]

I bottle in canning jars, what do you guys use and what size? I'm in this for a hobby and something to do with my grandson before golf season starts, so I am ok with making a few gallons to give away.....

I bottle in the fancy 12 ounce jars that I put a custom label on (the picture is of my family cabin in the Berkshires), and in the Massachusetts quart jugs:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TEsz6fDNh9UibDZs9
https://bascommaple.com/products/jsbmaq?_pos=4&_sid=141bb039c&_ss=r

Almost everyone prefers the glass bottles, even though they're smaller. They're just more "special".

GO

[berkshires]

Same here Aaron. I had about 90 three gallon frozen slugs of ice to go through. Made for a long weekend. Sap ran good here in Savoy on Wed. and then everything froze solid Thursday. But, got through almost all of it by Sunday afternoon. Was able to sweeten my pan and draw off a gallon. Boiled 40 more yesterday and made another gallon. Have about 20 more to boil today after work.

Congrats on a good start to the season. Glad to hear you're up and running. Dealing with frozen blocks is the worst thing about early season sugaring.

Cheers,

GO

[Aaron Stack]

Ended up with over 3/4 gallons off yesterday’s 27 gallons collected yesterday but so far today not even 2 off the first 7 buckets. Heading to the main site with the remaining 23 so we’ll see what I get. I’ll boil it if I get 10, otherwise it’s rinsing collection buckets in the rain. Update: Only 5 total gallons of not so good looking yellow sap collected so rinsing it was. Putting it in the freezer hoping for a weekend run, or I'll use plan to use it on the propane stove to finish off the sweet at the end of the season.

Gabe I hear you on the long days. Into work for 6, out by 1230, collect, boil, cleanup and a shorter 30 minute drive I’m usually home by 10. It’s only 5-6 weeks and honestly just plain old fun so it’s all worth it.

On bottling, I got a too big electric bottler - it’s good for the dark since that’s what I get the most of, but for the lighter grades I only get about a gallon of each so I use a stainless coffee urn. Between the two they work great.

Keep on boiling everyone!

[Paul01036]

Maple Addict,

Thanks for the information and links. The glass bottles look awesome and I would agree while smaller they add a sense of nostalgia to the packaging especially due to the photo of the cabin. I hope 2024 was a big success for you.

[Aaron Stack]

No budding in site and possibly a short run Sunday to Tuesday so swapping out the field buckets today, holding out hope. Drained the sweet yesterday and took it home for the freezer along with rinsing the truck buckets and tank. Also threw in the light vinegar soak today.

Staying positive but might just be done if the forecast is off. At least I’ll be free to go to visit the bigger operations next weekend for Mass Maple Weekend.