July Journal

[maple flats]

July already! I still need to do up more wood. A few years ago I always had 2 yrs wood ready ahead by this time of year, now I only have 20-25% of it ready. It seems as I get older I've slowed down.
Also my syrup sales have been quite good, June was my best June ever (as were March and April). May was a little slower. I need to pack more dark, and my next batch of bourbon barrel aged maple syrup, I just need a little cooler day.

[Pdiamond]

Dave, Good to hear your year has been going well. It has been so hot around here that I haven't even thought about cutting wood. I have several trees down from storms earlier this year, some dead some not. Did get lucky at the end of June and found a 400 gallon milk tank for my operation. Sure will make it better for sap storage and easier to clean. My buddy is going to help me finish the inside of my sugar house the way I want it this fall. I will be primed and ready for next season/

[maple flats]

A 415 was my first milk tank. (you will like it). It was my head tank for 5-6 years, then I had a 200 given to me. That then needed covers made and a valve added and it became my head tank. Later I got had a 150 gal sap tank made to use as my head tank.

[Paddymountain]

Tore the 2x2 pavers out of the sugarshack late May, and am pouring
concrete next Friday. Also scored on a 300 gallon bulk tank.
Looking to get a SS stack base made since the evaporator is
out! First year ever for wood being finished!

[buckeye gold]

I am behind where I usually am on wood, but still have enough for next year. I'm usually two years ahead, but some health issue and really wet weather has stopped my wood processing. My cousins cut all the ash on their farm (where the original family sugar bush was) and there are literally hundreds of tons of chucks just waiting on me to process. So it's been down over a year and has some seasoning to it, but needs split and stacked.

My wife bought herself a new Kubota x900 RTV that I think will get drafted into working maple lines this fall:) We took it for a run this morning along lines and those darn tree rats have already put my lines on the ground in three spots. I have been thinning them out but they just keep coming.....aaarrrggg. I am almost sold out of syrup, a mennonite farm market called and wanted some, and they sold all my hold over. So now I guess I'll have to plan for more syrup next year. I can expand, but have been reluctant to do more taps and have the long boils. Not really wanting to spend the money on a new rig or RO.