Sap sugar content relation to freezing nights?

[mol1jb]

Hey all,

Here in Central IL it has been unseasonably warm for mid March. There has not been a freeze since last Saturday. I checked the sugar content of my sap today and it is the lowest I have ever collected at 1.6% (average here is low 2%). It is supposed to freeze this coming weekend.

My questions is will a freezing night help the sugar content in sap recover a bit or does sap sugar content lower throughout the season regardless of freezing nights?

[mol1jb]

Anyone????

[DrTimPerkins]

Been answered many times. A freeze in mid-season will bump up the sap sugar content a bit.

[spud]

Based on my experience, sugar counts continue to decrease as the season goes on. I’m getting 1.6 now also. This is normal for being half way through my season.

Spud

[mol1jb]

Been answered many times. A freeze in mid-season will bump up the sap sugar content a bit.

Thanks Dr Tim. I actually searched quite a bit and could not find a thread about it.

[maple flats]

I have been checking my sap sugar % every day. Mine started at 1.2% my lowest start ever, It stayed ther until I got a freeze. The reading after the freeze was 1.4%, after 2 days it dropped to 1.3%. Then the first long hard freeze it climbed to 1.6% and a very short thaw followed by another freeze. That gave me my best this season, 1.8%. Then we had several days no freeze, it stayed at 1.8 for 2 days, then dropped .1 each day until it was again at 1.4%. Tonight I will have a good freeze, short that tomorrow and then another freeze. I will check both days. For here the coming week looks better than most this season, While not every night, the forecast calls for no more than 1 night without a freeze then another freeze. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[30AcreWoods]

I'm hoping for a good freeze tonight, minimal thaw tomorrow, hard freeze tomorrow night, and then a few freeze/thaw nights/days until next Friday. Each year I've seen low sugar for the initial run, then an immediate bump into the mid 2% range, and steady drop (even with freeze-thaws) until a hard mid-season freeze, with a corresponding bump-up to 2% or above, then steady drop to end of season. I RO'd some 1.5% sap last night and boiled today. It graded-out dark (closer to amber than very dark). Every year is different.

[GeneralStark]

Been answered many times. A freeze in mid-season may or may not bump up the sap sugar content a bit.

Fixed it for ya...

[DrTimPerkins]

The key word there was mid-season. After that time, a declining trend is normal.

[spud]

Based on my experience, sugar counts continue to decrease as the season goes on. I’m getting 1.6 now also. This is normal for being half way through my season.

Spud

Wow Dr. Tim was right. After several days of 1.6% sugar I am now back at 2% today. The freeze we had must of really helped. I don’t ever remember seeing sugar jump like this mid season. Sap is still running 300 GPH at 8:30 pm. Should run all night and all day and night tomorrow. Keep it coming.

Spud

[Sugarmaker]

Regardless of the sugar content which I agree usually declines with the season, Spud better have his hip waders and swimmies on, at 300 GPH. WOW!
Keep boiling!
Regards,
Chris

[GeneralStark]

The key word there was mid-season. After that time, a declining trend is normal.

But how does one determine what the mid point of the season is? My point is merely that there is no certainty in a freeze bringing the sugar content up. As a man of science I would think you would be reluctant to make statements that imply certainty...:D

The overnight freeze and sugar content patterns I typically experience here have not been consistent at all with observations this year. Overall ssc has been the lowest I've ever seen. The highest was about 1.8 and I usually see well over 2. It has been down closer to 1 for about a week and doesn't seem likely that it will rise but perhaps this big freeze coming will help.

[DrTimPerkins]

But how does one determine what the mid point of the season is?

We don't determine that point...the trees make the determination for us.


My point is merely that there is no certainty in a freeze bringing the sugar content up.

Clearly that is the case after a certain point. Typically freezes will spur conversion of starch to sugar through about mid-season (and spur uptake of water from the soil), and to some degree later on, but the overall trend after that point is downward.


As a man of science I would think you would be reluctant to make statements that imply certainty...:D

In scientific circles that is clearly true (and I am quite certain of that), but it is more difficult to speak in probabilistic terms with real people. ;)

[slammer3364]

I agree sugar content really low I did not check it but did alot of boiling to get some good color, before I GOT MY SAP HYDROMETER I just watched how much I drew off oddly enough I got more syrup as the season progressed. I do have a question for Dr Tim. It did not freeze here since Wed night just went to fix a tap and picked up about 30 gallons of sap it did rain hard here Thursday night and Friday morning rather hard . Whats up? Thanks Slammer

[DrTimPerkins]

As temp goes up, the gas bubble inside each fiber expands, creating more pressure, and a bit more sap flow.

[slammer3364]

Thanks Dr Tim I was under the impression you had to have a freeze then warm weather to create sap flow . It was rainy Thursday and in the 50s Friday it rained hard in the morning and was 68 Really had me puzzled

[DrTimPerkins]

Yes. But it won’t run when the temps drop again UNTIL it freezes and recharges.