How long is too long to stay tapped?

[WillowLaneFarm]

Dumb question,

Is the quantity and flow dependent on just the pressure changes from temps, or is time a factor?

Tapped maybe 4 weeks ago. Maybe five. Been weird weather here in NH. Had a couple good flows on our 90taps. Then cold setting in. Any risk keeping them tapped for a few more cycles a weather looks maybe good next week and after? No buds yet Koenig so assuming we're good. But not sure if I should pull half and tap new trees, etc?

[Sugarmaker]

Taps are generally shutting down after about 6 weeks.
My Dad left buckets in the woods till late July. We had several teaspoons of naturally evaporated sweet in the bottom of the buckets!
Regards,
Chris

[maple flats]

When it's long after the sap stops flowing and the buds are open.

[madmapler]

What usually determines the end of the season is the sap quality or the quality of the syrup. I would say your season isn't over yet. As far as retapping, you don't want to overtap if you plan on tapping your trees for many years ahead. Some guys do redrill the same hole oversized or a little deeper with limited success. It's your call.

[Daveg]

I've read here that tapping too early can result in tap holes that no longer produce even though there are still sap runs. I tapped in late January and I'm still getting good, cold, clear 1.5% sap. Too late to tap new trees, following sustainability guidelines. Stretches of either temperature extreme can be followed by good sap production, even in April.

[Twisted Minds]

Taps are generally shutting down after about 6 weeks.
My Dad left buckets in the woods till late July. We had several teaspoons of naturally evaporated sweet in the bottom of the buckets!
Regards,
Chris



Wouldn't the microbes have eaten all of the sugars before the liquid totally evaporated? Or at least soured? Or the bugs taken care of anything left? Just wondering

[psparr]

Wouldn't the microbes have eaten all of the sugars before the liquid totally evaporated? Or at least soured? Or the bugs taken care of anything left? Just wondering

I've seen damaged maples in the woods with syrupish liquid down the trunk of the tree. Was very thick and tasted good. (Had to try)

[Russell Lampron]

Bucket taps with new or proprrly sanitized taps will usually run for up to 6 weeks. If you have other untapped trees you can tap them now. If you are using the same taps in the new trees sanitize them first. If they are metal taps boil them long enough to come up to temperature and then handle them as little as possible when tapping. I feel that the real season hasn't gotten here in NH yet.

[Sugarmaker]

Wouldn't the microbes have eaten all of the sugars before the liquid totally evaporated? Or at least soured? Or the bugs taken care of anything left? Just wondering

I was a little kid, and I remember syrup like sticky goo in the bottom of the buckets maybe about 100 ml?
I think we tasted it and it was sweet. its been a long time!
Somethings you don't forget and cant explain!:)
Yea it should have been moldy and sour and yucky but from what I remember it wasn't. Not sure why. They were old buckets with lids.
Regards,
Chris

[Twisted Minds]

I was a little kid, and I remember syrup like sticky goo in the bottom of the buckets maybe about 100 ml?
I think we tasted it and it was sweet. its been a long time!
Somethings you don't forget and cant explain!:)
Yea it should have been moldy and sour and yucky but from what I remember it wasn't. Not sure why. They were old buckets with lids.

Regards,
Chris

Ahh yes, to only be young again, even for a day. At least we have those kind of memories.

[Mark B]

I've read here that tapping too early can result in tap holes that no longer produce even though there are still sap runs. I tapped in late January and I'm still getting good, cold, clear 1.5% sap. Too late to tap new trees, following sustainability guidelines. Stretches of either temperature extreme can be followed by good sap production, even in April.

Anecdotal evidence says these relatively new leader spiles with check valves prevent back flows of sap (introducing bacteria) when your lines freeze and flow well from application to when you pull.

https://www.leaderevaporator.com/p-413-leader-clear-check-valve-spout.aspx