Put out 50 early taps today 12/16/20

[buckeye gold]

Well I succumbed to temptation and put 50 early taps out today. I finished cleaning and setting up the shack and lines were all done, so I said what the h#ll and tapped the two laterals right behind the shack. These are taps I have done early in the past. Most started running soon as I tapped and by the time I made it up one lateral and back down the other I had about three gallons of sap in the barrel I set up to collect in. So maybe tomorrow I'll light my first fire of the winter.

[buckeye gold]

Over night I had 35 gallons of nice clear sap in my tank. Not bad for early season and a 12 hr run. I pumped it into the head tank and built a fire to sweeten my pan. If I can get a run today I'll make some syrup tomorrow. I tasted the sweet out of the syrup section and it tasted pretty darn good. I think it's going to be pretty light. For this southern Ohio hillbilly "it's sugar season"!:D

[DrTimPerkins]

Would be nice to have fresh syrup for Christmas. How's the sugar content? Where are you in Southern Ohio?

[buckeye gold]

Dr. Tim,

I'm south central about 40 miles north of Portsmouth and the Ohio River in Ross County.

The sugar was 1.4%, about what I expected. Yeah, everyone wants fresh made syrup for Christmas....going to be a ration plan for sure.

[asknupp]

I've been very tempted to start tapping here west of Troy, Ohio as well. But still have to much to do. Should get caught up with the next few long weekends. Good luck!

[esetter]

Just curious what kind of temps you guys have been having the last week or so , im thinking bout getting some early taps out next week.

[RileySugarbush]

It's been a crazy warm fall and early winter here in Minnesota. Seeing you posting this reminded me that today I saw drips on my driveway from the maples. Not early, but late fall runs! We never tap in the fall, but it is tempting when the tress are dropping sap on your head.

But I'll wait until February.

[asknupp]

Esetter, Temps still aren't cold enough at night for my liking but next weeks outlook has me ready to jump the gun. It looks like it's going to freeze up for Christmas and then warm again. Ohio has some of the most inconsistent weather. I'll atleast wait a couple more weeks but generally I tap around Jan 20th.

[buckeye gold]

Just curious what kind of temps you guys have been having the last week or so , im thinking bout getting some early taps out next week.

Highs 35-45 and lows 25-34 at night

[esetter]

Im gonna try to poke a few trees Sunday. Looks like we have some teens and 20's for a few nights over Christmas.

[buckeye gold]

I have boiled four times and made almost a gallon of syrup. I have around 50 gallons of sap from an over night (12/24) run right now and I'll boil as soon as it's gets a little more day light. Sugar has been low, which is normal for early sap, around 1.0-1.4 %.

[esetter]

Wow , that's awesome!! Hope this season is longer than last years here.