GV2
02-23-2018, 06:48 AM
Tapped on Valentine's Day. 27 buckets, 14 taps on a 3/16 line with about
5% slope over 500 foot run after lowest tree. Running great after under
performing last year. Read pros and cons about low slope but decided to
give it another shot. Made a few adjustments this year. 1) in spite of
tales about 3/16 tolerating slight up hill sections, I removed the one
short up hill section, 2) went from 21 taps last year to 14 this year, 3)
started lowest tree at a slightly higher tree, and 4) moved the gathering
point 100 foot closer so that the lowest and "flat" section of the 3/16
run is removed. Lowered the number of taps and removed the flat to address
possibility of back pressure/flow which I read about. Getting great results
so far! Not sure which if any of these adjustments has contributed. Had 2
great runs overall this year so far and made 1.5 gallons in my 2x3 pan in 2
boils. Sitting on 70 gallons of sap today. Wish all my Western MA towns a good season.
5% slope over 500 foot run after lowest tree. Running great after under
performing last year. Read pros and cons about low slope but decided to
give it another shot. Made a few adjustments this year. 1) in spite of
tales about 3/16 tolerating slight up hill sections, I removed the one
short up hill section, 2) went from 21 taps last year to 14 this year, 3)
started lowest tree at a slightly higher tree, and 4) moved the gathering
point 100 foot closer so that the lowest and "flat" section of the 3/16
run is removed. Lowered the number of taps and removed the flat to address
possibility of back pressure/flow which I read about. Getting great results
so far! Not sure which if any of these adjustments has contributed. Had 2
great runs overall this year so far and made 1.5 gallons in my 2x3 pan in 2
boils. Sitting on 70 gallons of sap today. Wish all my Western MA towns a good season.