Lets get this thing started!

[Ivyacres]

Who's out working and putting up the lines? I'm going out this weekend to get started. Can't wait to try some new things and see what happens.

[ronintank]

I went out sunday and put up 3 lines of 3/16 tubing on my road side hill. plus i ordered all the major components for a 100 gph ro system.

[U.P. Sapsucker]

Put in 3400' of main line and loving weather above zero. I like to 20's in the forecast.

[Tweegs]

Hit it pretty hard this weekend. Got a lot of downed trees out of the woods, cleaned up the shack, adjusted the mains and laterals and flagged any damage found…squirrel chews, mainly.

With the Michigan conference this coming Saturday and another non-maple event Sunday, had to get as much done this past weekend as possible.

Still a few things on list yet, but getting there. Should be ready in time.
Managed to poke a hole in one of the Gator tires, so add that to the list of things that need fixin’.

[GLTaylor]

I'm a first timer, south of Detroit, I was going to follow when the Troy Nature Center taps. Any other recommendations, for when to tap my 10-12 trees.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[Jewdave]

I’m in Farmington Hills and tapping my 9 trees tomorrow. Basically when there is a good string of days with above freezing daytime highs and below freezing nighttime lows is prime time. You will have a few days for the trees to thaw after this latest cold spell but for us in the South I’d say to have them in by early this weekend. It has always been a dice toss for me. Let me know if you need any other small-time tapper tips.

[GLTaylor]

Thanks for the tip. Is there any concerns with leaving the taps in when it gets cold again, or when it warms up the sap will flow again? Then pull them when the tress bud.

[Cjadamec]

Once you set the taps they stay in until you are done for the season.

[berkshires]

The NOAA one month prediction for Feb just came out today. Here's a link if it's helpful for anyone.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/lead14/off14_temp.gif

I must say, if I were in Michigan, Wisconsin, etc, I would think twice about tapping super early this year.

[GLTaylor]

What is the disadvantage to tapping early? Can the taps and line freeze is that ok?
Tapping late means missing the best sap,
Thank you all for the help. My wife is making fun of me, but I am super excited.

[Jewdave]

Tapping early can lead to bacterial growth and the hole closing up before the run is complete from my understanding.

[berkshires]

Yep. Depending on your setup, your sanitation, etc, you have four weeks of optimal flow. After that it will start to decrease as the tree walls off the damaged area. By two months you're getting a small fraction of what you'd get from a fresh hole.

So if the peak sap run turns out to be mid March, and you tap in mid January... you will make much less syrup than the person who tapped in February or March.

[Cedar Eater]

What is the disadvantage to tapping early? Can the taps and line freeze is that ok?
Tapping late means missing the best sap,
Thank you all for the help. My wife is making fun of me, but I am super excited.

The taps and lines can freeze and that is ok. It happens almost every night during prime weather. Multiple freeze/thaw cycles can loosen the taps and they might need a little hammering at some time during the season. The downside of tapping early is that taps normally dry up 4-6 weeks after tapping because the tree tries to heal the wound.

You aren't necessarily going to miss the best sap by tapping late or get the best sap by tapping early. Sugar levels in the sap can fluctuate and often are not highest during the first runs.

You can try a half and half approach to get both early and late season sap. Trees on a north facing slope may not even thaw until other trees have stopped producing for the year.

[GLTaylor]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll refine my plan for all the necessary tools this weekend and watch the weather the next 2 weeks/weekends with a plan to tap in early February-mid February. Thanks again for the advice. Have fun

[Jewdave]

I know, but the 15 day outlook has only 2 days that have below freezing highs. Last year when that happened a set of 5 silver maples all started budding early and didn’t yield much. It is a tough call...

[Tweegs]

Silvers will flower, which makes it look like they are budding out.
I haven’t noticed a difference in syrup flavor during this period.

If in question, set aside the sap from your silvers, boil down a cup of it and taste it. It’s the easiest way to tell.

And no, I definitely would not tap yet. Last week of Feb around here is fairly normal.