Poconos 2019

[Maplewalnut]

I wasn't going to start a thread this year but decided to anyway. We finished tapping Presidents weekend. First rotation of new drops in two bushes and second year tubing in 3/16ths woods. Interested to see how both do. Using all cdl smart spouts, clear and opaque. To date have had usual leaks and then a releaser issue that I finally figured out was a brittle cracked tube that connects the piston to vacuum. Note to self, replace that line every few years, its ice maker tubing you can get at any big box store. Still having high RO pressure problems, hope to have it fixed tonight after speaking with Lapierre today. Have talked with both Lapierre and CDL in last week, both have been nothing but helpful and courteous on two separate issues

Few decent sap runs to date, sap is normal sugar content for our woods which is around 1.75% mix of sugars and reds. Barrels are being filled.

[doocat]

Keep up the good work. We sit and wait. It’s got to get warm sooner or later.

[Maplewalnut]

Went to start RO yesterday and subsequently blew up the outlet on the wall. Thought I was struck by lightning...LOL Luckily after a replacement of plug and outlet we were back in business. Sap ran ok but still not what it should of been for 45 and sunny. Still quite a bit of snow and ice in the woods. Weather is not cooperating and spending a lot of time in woods fixing wind damage. Hopefully this week is the start of a bountiful couple weeks. I have never made syrup past April 6 so I am running out of time.

[Z/MAN]

Maplewalnut, Ours were running slow also but are running much better today. Don't forget we were in the single digits a couple days ago.

[Maplewalnut]

I hear you Z/Man. I believe ground is still frozen also. I don't even see where the snow and ice has melted a ring from around the trees yet in the woods. Hopefully today and tomorrow she lets loose!!

[Maplewalnut]

Snow has melted which gave a few good runs the last few days but nothing exceptional. Looks like nice weather the next 5 days and after that doesn't look too promising as lows are in 40s. Unless weather changes, it looks like one of the poorest years in NEPA in a long time.

[Maplewalnut]

Sap ran well today, another hard freeze and repeat tomorrow. Hopefully the next week saves a current bad season. Sap is high for my woods...around 2%

[Z/MAN]

Don't give up Mike. You know how the weather changes around here. Don't believe the weather forecast.

[doocat]

They have changed the forecast quite a bit in the last two days. You still have some time.....

[Maplewalnut]

Sap tsunami has been issued in NEPA...fill every tank you have and worry how you will cook it all later

[Z/MAN]

Your right Mike all hell has broke loose here too.

[sbedilion]

Your right Mike all hell has broke loose here too.

I wrapped up last weekend knowing this week was going to be good. Regret regret regret....haha. O well....no time this weekend to boil anyways. Enjoy the flood!

[Maplewalnut]

First time in 8 days not boiling. But have about 3000 gallons waiting to be RO’d in the morning. Hard freeze tonight and close to 50 degrees tomorrow. Yes please!!! Sugar is about 1.75% which is normal for us. Bourbon barrels get hot packed tomorrow and then we give her hell to the finish line. Even have a customer looking for some commercial syrup so lets go!

[Maplewalnut]

The niter has commeth...big time. Terrible time cooking, I am hoping the hard freeze overnight and again tonight settles it a little. Time to clean the tanks again

[Z/MAN]

Same thing here.

[Maplewalnut]

Hard freeze overnight after a 4 day stretch above freezing and close to 70 on Saturday. Hopefully trees had enough reset for one last run or two since next few days look great temperature wise.

[Z/MAN]

Didn't get warm enough for a flow here today but I think we are going to do good the next few days. Hopefully it will be a great end to the season. Looks like we will end up a little short of last year.

[Maplewalnut]

Ran for about 2 hours here and then froze again. Also same as you for season total unless we have a gusher the next few days.

[Amber Gold]

I'm kinda jealous. We haven't had a big run yet this year. Generally, 1/2 runs, and a couple decent runs, but nothing that'll knock your socks off. Season's not over yet, so there's still hope.

Hope you get a strong finish to your season.

[doocat]

Our sap is running good and crystal clear here again. Craig

[Maplewalnut]

Still hanging in. Sap is clear but not flowing well today. Finished syrup has no off flavor and we continue to fill barrels although the next one may be the end . Sugar is way down around 1%

[Z/MAN]

Same story here except we are at 2 percent on the sap. Some trees flowing and some dry. If we get the freeze tonight we might get a flow Saturday. It looks like it might not be warm enough here to flow tomorrow.

[doocat]

Ours went buddy not sure why either. I shut off the few reds we have but still produced off flavor. Oh well it’s the end anyway. Made a lot of very good tasting stuff. Good luck guys.

[Maplewalnut]

We shut off the pumps today. Syrup went buddy and flow has slowed to a trickle. Made about 85% of normal crop if there is such a thing anymore as ‘normal’

[springhillsmaple]

Our stats:
First boil 2/8
Last boil 3/31
Taps 1600
Sap 44,000
Sap/tap 27.5
Syrup/tap 0.4
Syrup 640
Ave. Sugar % 1.25
Cords Burned 25
All new 3/16 gravity replaced old 5/16 gravity.

200 hours at the evaporator
Next year 600 gph RO and a big stainless tank