Getting anxious

[Ivyacres]

Hey Michigan! Who's tapped and are you running some new equipment this year. Lets get this thing going.

[Pdiamond]

I believe we have about 2 or 3 weeks yet before tapping time.

[toquin]

I am very slowly putting up lines. Had to plow both woods twice.

[ebliese]

I just took a walk through my father-in-law's woods with him yesterday to identify the non-veneer maples for tapping. He's groomed the trees for veneer since he moved here about thirty years ago. We're putting on 100 taps, all on buckets, so a larger operation for my wife and I. Currently in the midst of cleaning and sanitizing buckets and barrels. We are running a new piece of equipment this year-the RO Bucket's RB25. I didn't want to have to do all day boils. Looks like temps this week for my area might be up a bit, 30-35*, but then by the weekend it's looking like back to the 20s. Only having a few years of experience, I know it is early to say, but any thoughts as to a later season start like last year? January has been colder than normal but I know the weather could change on a dime.

[Pdiamond]

A couple of days of warm weather is not really going to break the trees loose. The frost is in the ground pretty deep. We need that good above freezing/below freezing weather consistently then it'll be go time.

[VTnewguy]

I just took a walk through my father-in-law's woods with him yesterday to identify the non-veneer maples for tapping. He's groomed the trees for veneer since he moved here about thirty years ago. We're putting on 100 taps, all on buckets, so a larger operation for my wife and I. Currently in the midst of cleaning and sanitizing buckets and barrels. We are running a new piece of equipment this year-the RO Bucket's RB25. I didn't want to have to do all day boils. Looks like temps this week for my area might be up a bit, 30-35*, but then by the weekend it's looking like back to the 20s. Only having a few years of experience, I know it is early to say, but any thoughts as to a later season start like last year? January has been colder than normal but I know the weather could change on a dime.

Being on buckets you want to be absolutely sure you are into the season before you get started. You'll have a six week window that the taps are fresh. A couple of days probably isn't going to run much. The sun is getting stronger and days are getting longer everyday. better to wait.

[red4476]

Last year was my first year. I just try to get enough for the kids to experience this and enjoy it as a hobby. Ill likely have 8-10 taps this year all in silvers and reds. Im SE Michigan, Monroe County. Also on buckets. Last year I tapped to early on a couple buckets and dint get much out of them. The buckets I waited flowed well. Im thinking maybe in about two weeks hopefully.

[Balrog006]

I’m getting that feeling here in Allegan Co. Seems like the temps are moving in the right direction, but I’ve done this enough seasons now to know there is still a wait and a better time to start than this ‘shoulder’ season where you may have part of a day here and there that works but the real season is at least 2 weeks out.

I do need to go thru my equipment and get some wood split down small for my barrel, to make sure everything is ready when the time comes.

Best of luck all, have a good season!

[Shirlsaw63]

Yes be patient. Every year is different. Some years I've tapped mid-February and some mid-March. I'm in Kent County. I use the SapTapApps and on the tapping maps its not showing any one who uses that tapping north of Indianapolis yet. I see minor drips from squirrel damage but not any level of good flow at these temps.

[Ed R]

I will probably get started once this next cold snap is thru. It will be past mid Feb. by then. I am at the state line.

[Pdiamond]

I just looked at the extended forecast, ha ha. If it looks to hold true I may begin mid - next week. After that the temps are looking good with the exception of days here and there.

[toquin]

Might be the new normal,2 days on, 2 days off

[Lethalbowman]

Watching the long range forecast closely here in the Traverse City area. In my previous 9 years I usually have tapped on or around the 18th of February. What can I say, I like getting the 1st load of sap to start things off early before the real gushers begin.
I picked up my sap bags, the containers to package all of the finished syrup in after running it all through the new for my 2022 season a 9" CDL Vacuum Filter Press.
Good luck everyone, have a wonderful season.

[ebliese]

Seems like the weather is teasing us. Tuesday and Wednesday of this next week look good but then back to sub-freezing highs for the remainder of the week. Almost there but not quite. I usually just look at weather.gov for the forecast. That's a good thing for us as we still have buckets and barrels to sanitize. And maybe try to tackle an ice damming problem? But at this point it might be more like putting a small bandage on a large chainsaw wound.

[red4476]

I ended up tapping 3 of my trees. Ill tap the last 4 this Saturday. One was dripping slowly and the other two were barely wet.

[Mimaplegen6]

Checked the weather a few days ago and it looked great. Looked today and it seems in the metro Grand Rapids area it's back to a hold on and wait. Don't want the taps to dry out.

Upped the season #2 equipment from a homemade barrel evaporator 3-4 GPH rate, 20 taps, and 4 gallons of syrup to a Sunrise Metal Shop 2x4 Hobby Evaporator, GPH tbd yet, 50-60 taps and hoping for 10-12 gallons. Increasing the odds generation 7 will get interested enough to keep it going!

[Balrog006]

Checked the weather a few days ago and it looked great. Looked today and it seems in the metro Grand Rapids area it's back to a hold on and wait. Don't want the taps to dry out.

Upped the season #2 equipment from a homemade barrel evaporator 3-4 GPH rate, 20 taps, and 4 gallons of syrup to a Sunrise Metal Shop 2x4 Hobby Evaporator, GPH tbd yet, 50-60 taps and hoping for 10-12 gallons. Increasing the odds generation 7 will get interested enough to keep it going!

Same here, that streak of warm days that was developing after Sunday/Monday has evaporated-2 days isn’t worth tapping yet when things go back into the sustained 20’s afterwards.

It’ll come when it comes.

[Pdiamond]

I am thinking that i'll tap the last weekend of February. I agree the two days are really tempting especially after today, but I have some commitments this weekend so next weekend it is.

[red4476]

I just noticed this in my area as well. Those last 4 won't be done this weekend now. Long range forecast is showing maybe not good again until end of February.

[Lethalbowman]

Just checked the 30 forecast and doesn't even show good tapping weather now until the 5th or 6th of March. Most years I have already been tapped by now and working on my 1st batch here in North West MI.

[Pdiamond]

Definitely a different year this year that's for sure. The latest I usually tap is last weekend of February, I am kinda wondering about that for this year. May have to hold off. Just keep watching the conditions and temps.

[red4476]

Ended up tapping my last four trees today as I have plans for next weekend. The rest were all silvers. The two huge ones (40 inch diameter) gave me nothing today. I've never tapped these but I anticipated they'd be running as they are at my Aunts house in Metro where ground temps are warmer but nothibg. Two taps on one tree were trying but it each was leaking out the bottom of the plastic spiles. Must not have drilled straight? On these I ran three taps each on about a 4 foot line into a 5 gallon bucket. Ive never done this but it seemed the little sap in the lines didn't flow but sat. Is a reverse vacuum possible of I sealed with a lid? The other two tree ran ok after about noon. I anticipate a slow trickle tomorrow and then nothing for a good week or so as these are on buckets and droppings into a bucket. Only my second year and man I wish I had more trees.

[Balrog006]

Red4476

It’s not exactly a reverse vacuum, but a surface tension and path of least resistance issue. Fluid will always take the oath of least resistance down, so often new taps will leak a bit before the hole swells and seals itself up-that’s why you see sap moving but not down your tubes. Once they seal them it’ll have no choice but to move thru the tap down the tube into a bucket. Unless you have some crazy good seals on your bucket to lid connection and around the hose where it goes into your bucket-which is so unlikely as to be near impossible-you can’t have too much pressure there for sap to flow down your tubing.

It’s just early and there isn’t much moving yet-give it time.

[ebliese]

We tapped one tree this morning, about 8:30, to see if the sap was running or not. It was so we decided to tap some trees today in the hopes of catching an early run today/tomorrow. We put in about 70 taps (on buckets) for now. The other 30 taps (on buckets) we will put in when we have better weather. I understand we might be jumping the gun a bit here and some may question whether it is worth it. I know buckets have a 4-6 week window but since the weather will be turning cold again (below freezing highs) then bacteria shouldn't be growing in the tapholes to hasten the closure. At least theoretically....

[red4476]

Red4476

It’s not exactly a reverse vacuum, but a surface tension and path of least resistance issue. Fluid will always take the oath of least resistance down, so often new taps will leak a bit before the hole swells and seals itself up-that’s why you see sap moving but not down your tubes. Once they seal them it’ll have no choice but to move thru the tap down the tube into a bucket. Unless you have some crazy good seals on your bucket to lid connection and around the hose where it goes into your bucket-which is so unlikely as to be near impossible-you can’t have too much pressure there for sap to flow down your tubing.

It’s just early and there isn’t much moving yet-give it time. thanks for the reply. This makes sense and I'll keep watching it. The drop line into the milk jugs worked great. Just the 5 gallon bucket had me confused.

[toquin]

Gathered 650 gals. Monday. Looks like about the same this morning, then another week off.

[Ivyacres]

I tapped everything Sat. Ran great all day Sun and Monday, got 180 gals. I'm all on tubing so my taps usually last longer than all the buckets do. It was sort of nice to do all the trouble shooting on a short run like this. I take my sap to a friend to have it evaporated and I was his first delivery of the year. Sugar content was down (2%) from past years, but I attribute that to not being able to tap some old growth trees from my neighbor. Good luck everyone

[ebliese]

We probably have at least a gallon of sap/tap-68 gallons or so in our buckets. We will collect tomorrow and have a test run with the RO!

[Balrog006]

Might be seeing it here-my 10 day forecast shows mid 30’s this coming weekend then 40’s for highs all next week. As long as it holds I’ll tap Saturday or Sunday. Have to wait and see.

[red4476]

Silver maple started running. Sugar is about 1.8%. One of my reds is at 4.5%. The sap tastes like sugar water. Got a good gallon off the silver maple. Of course the red is stingy and got maybe a quarter gallon.

[Balrog006]

Well everything in the 10 day looks productive for sap. Broke out the buckets and everything else today and in short order we had 20 trees tapped, they ran as I was tapping in the spiles. We will see what the season brings, but ours has officially started!

[Mimaplegen6]

We officially tapped our season off today in the Grand Rapids MI area. 46 taps today with 14 more to go as a few more friends and family trickle in. Surprisingly everything ran quite well this afternoon as we tapped. Have a great season everyone!

[ronintank]

all tapped in this weekend, installed new taps on all my lines about 150 trees all on 3/16 gravity vacuum runs. hope for a good season.

[Shirlsaw63]

Got 15 taps in Friday and 10 more on Sunday. Only 3 of my Friday taps had a little in the bucket on Sunday. NW Kent County.

[Urban Hillbilly]

I put 54 buckets up in northeast Grand Rapids yesterday and I’m putting more up today. Forecast looks great.

[Lethalbowman]

Looks like we're finally going to get a good stretch of freeze thaw days to get things started here in North West MI. (Traverse City area) I have my taps all cleaned up and just need to get the bags attached to the hangers so I can tap over the weekend. I fully expect to have enough sap to fire up my rig by next weekend.

[IonicTick]

Tapped 14 reds tonight along the river here in Grayling. I'm out of town tomorrow and really think it'll start here tomorrow/Sunday. Monday is below freezing all day, but then T-F setup really nice.

[red4476]

Well boiled the 35 gallons of sap I've collected thus far and ended up with just over 110 ounces of syrup. My goal was a gallon this year as last year I only made 24 ounces (first year). Was a fun activity for the family today.

[Balrog006]

Well boiled the 35 gallons of sap I've collected thus far and ended up with just over 110 ounces of syrup. My goal was a gallon this year as last year I only made 24 ounces (first year). Was a fun activity for the family today.

Well that 110oz almost makes your gallon-congrats! And more importantly you got to do a great, fun, learning activity with your family that you will continue to enjoy and relive every time you taste that syrup.

[toquin]

Now it looks like a couple of days off, after a weekend of record breaking runs

[toquin]

Now it looks like I will be done this coming Wed. What are you guys in middle of state thinking about the weather?

[Lethalbowman]

We never did get enough warm weather to get thing going here in the TC area. Just when the sap started to flow it got cold again and everything froze up. It's supposed to warm back up again starting on Sunday and continue with good cycles through the week. So looking forward to getting things started with the 1st boil of the season. I plan to finish up all last minute prepping in the shack this weekend and get the collection tank mounted in the gator so I am ready when those bags start to fill up.

[Swingpure]

We have had some very minor flows and should have some minor flows Monday and Tuesday, but after that, starting Wednesday, they should be gushing and I hope to have the first boil Thursday, for sure Friday.

Can’t wait.

[ebliese]

Toquin,

We are south of you but have started to wonder the same thing-will we be done given the forecast. Guess we just have to wait and see. If it is the end, that would be two short seasons in a row, at least when looking at our records.

[Balrog006]

Now it looks like I will be done this coming Wed. What are you guys in middle of state thinking about the weather?

It’s not over until it’s over, I think there is some season left personally. I’ve seen seasons with a freeze up in them and those that had warm spells where the sap quit, but it came back for a while before things warmed up and the trees budded and taps were pulled.

[Ivyacres]

Started running again late this afternoon and looks good for the week. I am a little worried about the warm nights at the end of the week. We should be able to get at least one more full week out of it if we have an average year. Last few years we have gone to the end of the month. You northern boys have lots of time yet. Better be ready;);)

[MISugarDaddy]

Ivyacres we hope you are right!!! Here in Gaylord we just finished tapping last Friday and nothing was showing up in the tap holes after drilling. Looks like we will get some flow this week and for at least the week or so following. Wait and see how it goes. Not much else we can do.
Gary

[Balrog006]

Started running again late this afternoon and looks good for the week. I am a little worried about the warm nights at the end of the week. We should be able to get at least one more full week out of it if we have an average year. Last few years we have gone to the end of the month. You northern boys have lots of time yet. Better be ready;);)

I’m seeing those warm temps and no freezing nights coming-it may be it or it may turn cooler again and give us another round-just have to wait and see.

Unfortunately I’m done the last week of March or so regardless this year-going on a trip and will be away long enough to have to pull things and clean up before I go.

[red4476]

I pulled all our taps yesterday. I had another 45 gallons to boil up and I ended up with just under 2 gallons for the year. My goal was one gallon. Buds started to swell on the silvers and with no freezing temps in sight I was happy with the season. Good luck to all those further north

[Lethalbowman]

It's still 30 degrees outside so the trees should finally be thawing out and finally start producing sap tomorrow.

[Balrog006]

It's still 30 degrees outside so the trees should finally be thawing out and finally start producing sap tomorrow.

And that they did, in the last 24 hours I’ve collected 22 gallons on 18 taps, previous best was 10 gallons.

[Pdiamond]

I've collected 120 gallons in the last two days 25 on bags and 8 taps on 3/16 natural vacuum. What has impressed me the most is the 3/16 line, annd why haven't I used this sooner.

[Lethalbowman]

I was able to collect some sap after work yesterday as my trees have finally started to wake up with the warmer temps. We still have about 6-8" of snow on the ground in the woods so it's a slow process but with temps hovering right around 32 degrees last night and getting into the 50's today I am expecting a good haul this evening.

[IonicTick]

Finally had one of my trees wake up today. And by wake up, I mean maybe half a quart of sap at best. Still a lot of snow on the ground in the woods here. Kinda hoping she doesn't bust loose now until Sunday or so.

[toquin]

All done.65 degrees yesterday,93 in sugar house. Good luck to you northern tappers

[Lethalbowman]

I was able to start my 1st batch of the season today. I started out with 60 gallons of just over 2% sap and after a single pass through my RB10 brought it up to about 4 1/4%
After filling both pans on my evaporator to about 2" I had about 27 gallons left to feed keep feeding them during the boil. So very good to be cooking syrup again.

[Balrog006]

Glad to hear you’re rolling and making sugar there-best of luck for a good season to you!

[ebliese]

We pulled our taps on the 21st. 103 taps total and just under 23.5 gallons of syrup. Most of it was rather light amber but we did get a bit of darker amber and a few bottles of dark.

[Lethalbowman]

Started our 2nd batch of the season today with approx 35 gallons of 2.25% sap. I didn't even run it through the RO Bucket because I figured the end result would have been such a low volume it would not have been worth firing up the evaporator for. So while I am processing today's batch I am finishing up last week's on my stove top here in the sugar shack. I have the digital thermometer set @ 218 and will check the progress of the syrup with the hydrometer when it goes off. It's been such a strange season so far with this goofy weather. We just need some normal freeze thaw cycles to get the sap flowing better or I will never match the last few years production totals.

[MISugarDaddy]

Well Lethalbowman, you got half your wish, you just got the freeze cycle you wanted. Now you have to wait for the thaw portion. It has been a weird season for sure. We are in Gaylord and after this week, I can't believe the amount of sap that flowed Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Temps never got above 34 degrees so we never started the vacuum, yet when we checked Friday morning, we had 620 gallons of sap and collected 810 gallons more yesterday (Saturday) morning. Fortunately we got that processed before the temps dropped. Sugar content has been lower than average, running below 2 percent all season so far, but the RO has saved us.
Good luck with the upcoming week's weather.
Gary

[Balrog006]

You two up North of me and toquin and ebliese have some chance at least. I think they’re both done with their season and I am too-no sap in a week now. First it was too warm and didn’t freeze at night for many days, now it’s frozen up but when it thaw as out it’ll stay above freezing-possibly for good this time. I just need to get out and pull my taps and buckets and clean them up before leaving on our trip.

Good luck all of you still have a chance for more sap-my season was a bit short at 3 weeks but production was decent.

[toquin]

Been done for 10 days and now 3 nights of below freezing temps. I still have a couple of taps still in a tree by our barn, going to be interesting to see what they do when it warms up this week.

[Ed R]

I last boiled on 3-17 and then turned my buckets over. I have put them back on and will try it if they run. I looked inside some of the tapholes and they were not black. Maybe they will run maybe they won't. Lake Erie moderates the temps at my place or else I would be done for sure.

[toquin]

Well, the tap by the barn ,that sat for 12 days, ran hard all day yesterday. About a drop a second. Sugar was a little low 1.5. Maybe next year I will leave some lines up a little longer.

[Lethalbowman]

After having lows in the single digits or low teens since last weekend temps have been slowly rebounding here in the Traverse City area. I collected 20+ gallons yesterday and another 30 today. Not all the trees I have tapped are flowing the same but it's a good start for another batch for this weekend. Really looking forward to next week as the forecast is looking like the big flows will finally happen.

[Ed R]

Some of my taps ran an others didn't. It made dark strong syrup. I will gather and boil again on Sunday and then I will be done. Like Toquin said, sugar really dropped.

[Lethalbowman]

I ended up with 60 gallons of 2.5% combination sap from my reds and sugars. After running it through the RO 1 time I have it condensed down to 30 gallons of 4.25% and that is what I have fired up my evaporator with this morning. My chart shows 4.2 only requires 20.48 gallons to make a gallon so my net after filtering should be another gallon + of finished syrup. For now I am keeping the fire stoked and the steam rising out of the kupola. It's a darn shame we can't post pictures anymore.

[Pdiamond]

My sap today tested at 2.6% and 2.8%. I collected a total of 165 gallons for the last two days. I have 25 on bags and 8 taps on 3/16's. This was my first year doing the 3/16 lines and I really like them. They out produce the bags 5 to 1. It's amazing to watch that steady trickle in the line vs the drip, drip, drip. Trees don't show any bud's yet I'll be watching those real close this week. Probably be done before we can get to the next freeze.

[Ivyacres]

So after being shut down for just over a week, it sure cut loose. Over a thousand gallons in five days on my 120 taps. Now over 4k for the season. Only 1.7 sugar but the volume is making up for it. I give credit to my wife for talking me into leaving the lines up.
Pdiamond- I'm glad you like the 3/16, they have done real well for me. Don't give up to quick I guess I need to be more patient.

[ebliese]

Lawks! Maybe I still could be sugaring here. Oh well. Every year is a learning experience. Hope you are still having fun!

[Pdiamond]

Ivyacres, My plan for next year is for more runs with the 3/16ths lines and limit the bags being used.

[Ivyacres]

Pdiamond, How many taps can your Smokey Lake handle? Do you ro anything yet?How many more taps can you do?

[ronintank]

We are at 41 gallons syrup from 175 taps in gaylord and the trees are still giving good clear sap and the buds are not swelled in the least bit. I don't know how much more i can take. Im wore plum out.

[Pdiamond]

Ivyacres, I could probably handle 200 taps. My plan for next year is to get out 100 to 110 taps. I'd like to put 75 of those on 3/16ths lines and the rest on bags. I like to rotate trees from year to year in my woods. To answer your question about the RO, no I do not use one. The evaporator will boil off 45-55 gallons of sap per hour depending on how well I fire it. If I had an RO i wouldn't be afraid of having 250 to 300 taps. Then you would have to deal with storage of concentrate and permeate. i will keep it on the small side for me to keep it fun and not to much work. Next year my 400 gallon bulk milk tank I bought will be set-up for use and that will be a big help.

[Pdiamond]

I collected my last sap today. It is hard for me to figure out why the trees have not yet shown any budding,( sugar Maples ). When I checked the sugar in the sap it was still at 2.8%. The lowest it ever got this year was 2.6%. I have never seen a year like this. But I am finally done collecting and will finish off the pan tomorrow. Then I have a bunch to get bottled. and the dreaded clean up.