Taps Are In

[Michigan Maples]

Forecasts are really all over the place, but it looks like as good a time as any to get some out. I have noticed some of the area farms that tap each year had done so, so my timing must be about right. Going to scale back some this year, still have a few gallons, and really just boiling for the family's needs. Put out 14 taps, so far, on 9 Sugar maples that have proven to be very good producers and one big Silver for the hell of it. Its close and usually gives a lot of sap. So, Id be happy with 4-5 gallons finished like last year. Gonna get pretty warm and rainy for several days then settle in to a more conducive pattern for maple sap flow. Using the cinder block arch again with hotel pans. Third year boiling this way, it works for now.

[Lethalbowman]

17676
Put a bunch of my taps in over the weekend and most if them started to flow as soon as the hole was drilled. I was pleased to see 2% sap to start the season here in North West Michigan. The forecast fore the next week is promising so hope to fire up the rig this weekend.

[michael marrs]

I think I am a bit early, but put in my taps with jugs hanging, not to get the arch going and barrels set up for collection and wood gathered, all old school, i will end up with about 80 taps

[Woody77]

Well we put taps in yesterday ran fairly well through the night. will be a slow but good start i think.

[L&msugarbush]

Tapped yesterday, Same Day last year and didn't regret... Mackinaw City

[DeciMaple]

Put in a few taps in Saturday, the rest yesterday afternoon and this morning. 50 taps so far, I'm working on getting 50 more taps to put in this year (I want to max out my pan this year). Most of the trees ran as soon as the drill was out of the hole! My best tree that I tapped on Saturday, had around a gallon per tap this morning. Depending on the rain, I probably will collect tomorrow afternoon and warm up the evaporator on Wednesday. The long term forecast in my neck of the woods says that after tomorrow night, the nights will be back below freezing which is promising! I'm sure hoping for a better run then last year.

[ronintank]

I tapped 141 trees this weekend all on 3/16 line.
Had good flow today when I got home from work.
Should be a good start to the season.

[Mille705]

Hey Woody, I am in Elsie too. We started tapping on Friday and finished the last few Sunday morning. Have about 325 in and picked about 275 this afternoon before it rained hard. Plan on lighting the evaporator in the morning.

[Lethalbowman]

17716
A couple of my bags looked like this one last night after work but most were only about 1/3 full. I ended up with 36 gallons that I am keeping cool with several jugs of ice. Should be able to fire up the rig on Saturday for my 1st batch of the season.

[OCHTO]

Lethalbowman, what kind of taps do you use?

[Lethalbowman]

I am using soule cast aluminum spiles made in Canada they work great with the bag hangers.17759

[OCHTO]

I agree the soule are the best. I ruined mine last year soaked them in too strong a bleach solution. Pitted them. Tried the sap meisters and the sap ran back on them and hit the side of the bag and they blew off in the wind. This year I'm trying the CDL 45 degree with a washer. Each year i'll buy a few more soule to spread the cost. Good luck in Michigan.

[Jolly Acres Farm]

We are trying the CDL 5/16 smart spouts this year as opposed to our usual stainless spouts. We have the same problems as those listed with the stainless spouts on the larger diameter or rough barked trees. So far we are happy with them, it will take the entire season to be sure. 18301