2022 Season

[Greenfin]

I know it's early but? It was 41 degrees down here in Rochester did anyone have any taps in to see if the sap started?

[SDdave]

We've had perfect temps for the last 5 days now and "forcasted" good temps for the next few weeks, but it wasn't until yesterday that I saw a recently pruned tree dripping pretty good. Not sure on the temps for you (my good MN neighbors) though, as we generally heat up a few weeks before you folks. I will be tapping this weekend, it's starting time in SD!

SDdave

[Keitha333]

Not yet but I am watching and hoping hard. Starting to get things out of storage/covering wood pile/ordering misc stuff.

[BigPine]

What is 'cold shock gravity filtering'? - if you don't mind.

[dew042]

Tapping in Minnesota is a lesson in patience. Watching everyone else starting up is maddening, lol.

[SDdave]

Tapping in Minnesota is a lesson in patience. Watching everyone else starting up is maddening, lol.

What is maddening is watching the short and long term forecast change daily. I tapped all mine last weekend and now I know that was too early. Should have stuck with my gut feeling, oh well.

SDdave

[Greenfin]

What is 'cold shock gravity filtering'? - if you don't mind.

Well, I am not quick to bottle. Often only bottling two or three times a season. So I have noticed the large amount of suspended material that eventually settles to the bottom of the containers after a few days. My theory is that this "settling" may be able to be hastened by quickly cooling off the syrup right after it comes off the evaporator. This settling process saves me a lot on filtering as I am only using gravity cone filter for now.

[ChaskaSap]

Forecast isn't looking so great, perhaps the week of March 7th in the cities

[JimSeyMN]

What a slow spring. Anybody have their taps in? Any history or experience with such a late season?

[Bombadil]

I have not placed taps in yet. Still too cold, looking at the forecast, we may see some better weather the first week in march but still only highs in the 30s. I will be placing out test taps next week.

East Central MN

[dew042]

I have not placed taps in yet. Still too cold, looking at the forecast, we may see some better weather the first week in march but still only highs in the 30s. I will be placing out test taps next week.

East Central MN

Test tap on a silver maple today south of Milaca, nothing going. Wasn't expecting anything. Most of my trees are hard maples, just trying to get a sense of how sleepy the forest is still.

Long range forecast points to the week of the 13th as go time.

On a different topic I took down a silver maple for inoculating some oyster mushrooms, anyone around here into that sort of stuff? Dragging logs is much easier without a few feet of snow. Fall project, next time.

[Greenfin]

I was putting all the infrastructure together and figured I would tap the tree in the backyard. Even at a sunny high of 35 today in Rochester Minnesota there was still no sap flowing.

[lindnova]

I've been restraining myself from tapping now as the first warm spell after cold and with deep frost never has produced much if any for me. Plus I have a work event later next week and will be gone a couple days. Planning on hitting it March 11. Hoping for some good runs the 3rd week of March. Rochester here also.

[ChaskaSap]

I tested a few trees today and they are flowing, but I’m sure it’s short lived.

[JimSeyMN]

South of St. Cloud, one tap in and it is dry.

[Bombadil]

Test tap went in yesterday, it was dry, checked again today, still dry.

[dew042]

Test tap went in yesterday, it was dry, checked again today, still dry.

Long range forecast still looks pretty bad around us. Looking like the third week of March for any good consecutive days.

[Greenfin]

I put in half my taps over the past three day. Some bags have a gallon most have nothing. I thought for sure temps in the high 40s would cause a good run. The next two weeks still look pretty cold.

I use accuweather’s monthly tab for my long range weather forecast. What do you guys use?

[Bombadil]

I would agree, next week is going to get cold, the third week in March looks perfect.

[ChaskaSap]

I would agree, next week is going to get cold, the third week in March looks perfect.

I dont know when the forecast changed but Sunday 3/13 onward looks absolutely perfect.

[Bombadil]

Totally agree, Starting the 13th it looks to be perfect.

[Keitha333]

Yep looks like it is taking shape nicely! I was thinking another 10 days a few days ago to getting stuff together now so I can tap Saturday afternoon. Looks promising for a while too!

[Keitha333]

50 Taps are in and ready for the warm weather to come. It was a good day with the kids!

[ChaskaSap]

Been a long wait, but all 30 taps are in place, burner is ready and excited to get this rolling. It’s 33 degrees with an expected high in the mid 40s/50s most of the week. Let’s the dripping commence!

[ChaskaSap]

Did anyone have any luck today? I only had one tree put out about a gallon, besides that just dribbles on about half the trees.

[lindnova]

I was surprised to have 3 trees turn on and give me 5 gallons today. They are dripping pretty good. The others are just starting to get wet. 28 taps in Rochester.

[Keitha333]

I got about two gallons out of six different trees. The other taps hopefully will start soon! Near Milaca.

[P7aler]

Just West of Danbury WI, tapped 150 on Sunday and still nothing.

[MapleMandy]

Will the nights be too warm? I noticed that it's going to be above freezing for several nights.
I also have a question about an old maple tree. I tapped this old maple for several years successfully but the past few years have gotten nothing. Do I need to drill deeper as trees age?

[Keitha333]

I have never heard about drilling deeper as trees age, just make sure your not by an old tap is what I can think of. a couple of warm nights this early I think we will be fine and maybe it will help all the trees wake up!

[BigPine]

75 taps in, 25 to go. Nothing running yet. NW corner of Mille Lacs. Most everyone here is tapping away -

[P7aler]

One tree of 150 running today, producing brown sap. Not exacly going to plan.

[Bombadil]

In the Princeton MN area. 40 taps in since Sunday a total of 6 gallons of sap, need 10X that just to start the fires. Is is possible that we really will not see a season?

[MapleMandy]

Thanks. I'm not drilling near an old tap so I really have no idea what the problem is. Perhaps the warm nights will wake this tree up and I'll get something:/

[P7aler]

This is becoming my fear. Days are awfully warm, we are going to see leaves soon.

[berkshires]

I also have a question about an old maple tree. I tapped this old maple for several years successfully but the past few years have gotten nothing. Do I need to drill deeper as trees age?

I've got some very old trees I tap, and the taps seem to be hit and miss. Sometimes they are fine, and sometimes nothing. Even though I don't see stained wood, I suspect if I'm drilling near/under a big dead branch, or otherwise an area of the tree that is just mostly dead, it won't produce.

Gabe

[ChaskaSap]

I wondering if anyone has knowledge if last years drought has any impact on the flow. It was very dry in Chaska last year. Also, does it hurt the trees to tap after the drought?

[Keitha333]

Got maybe three gallons today and a few others are starting to show life. Still about 40 out of 50 with no signs yet...

[dew042]

In the Princeton MN area. 40 taps in since Sunday a total of 6 gallons of sap, need 10X that just to start the fires. Is is possible that we really will not see a season?

North of Princeton, only 3 of 36 taps showed sap earlier today. Next couple days look good.

[BigPine]

Putting tubing on this AM - break time. Sap is ON! On the approx 50 we have put tubing on (drop lines to buckets) - about 50 to go.

[dew042]

A bit discouraged. Tapped Thursday, only 15 gallons of sap on 36 taps.

[ChaskaSap]

Yep been pretty light here too only 12 of my 30 taps ran today. Barely 5 gallons.

[Schnep's]

Put out 110 taps on Friday. Collected 65 gallons so far. Some in yard that always run early aren't doing much yet.
Some in woods do OK. On the south side of Mille Lacs.

[MapleMandy]

Thanks Gabe

[SDdave]

Darn ol' mother nature...it's been a roller coaster with the anticipation and results. And if you couldn't guess the results are the lows! When the temps are favorable the wind is 35+, when the temps are not favorable calm, and the temps have mostly been above freezing overnight. Sap has been sparse to say the least. Trees are responding quite well to the warmer temps, about 90% of them (Silvers) are now in the flowering stage. I see the door closing slowly on the season with only one more week forecasted to have overnight freezing temps.

SDdave

[Keitha333]

I am right there with you SDdave. I have a long weekend where I was hoping to boil all weekend long. Not going to happen I am afraid. All one can do is hope for better temps but each week it doesn't work out I am afraid it is going to get hot and stay there.....

[Bombadil]

Well, I had a good sap run (for two days), made 1 1/2 gallons of syrup... I usually wait and most of my batches in a normal season are 3-5 gallons of syrup. Went out today to see if I have anything running and only got 6 gallons of sap. It worst season I have seen so far.

[dew042]

Output is getting worse, and deep freezes on tap this weekend. Next week looks better, but seriously, this is a very poor way to start the season.

[Keitha333]

It is going to be a cold boil tomorrow. I have 80 gallons going through the RO tonight so maybe only 50 gallons to boil tomorrow. Still going to be cold with the wind!

[Ironwood-mn]

Boy, the lack of chatter on here is really cutting back on my ability to lurk. How am I supposed to get any good lurking in if nobody posts anything?!?

[Keitha333]

I think we all are in the same boat! We all would like to be out complaining about too much sap and not enough boil time but 12 degrees this morning and high of 31 isn't going to help that!:cry:

[Bombadil]

Season remains poor for me. 99% of my stuff is not running at all.

[P7aler]

Are we going to end up calling this the lost season of '22?

[dew042]

Are we going to end up calling this the lost season of '22?

Tail end of this week looks pretty great for me. Expect it will end next Tuesday with a pair of 50 degree days, but its still pretty frozen. Won't quite save the season.

[DrTimPerkins]

Are we going to end up calling this the lost season of '22?

It ain't over til it's over.

[Greenfin]

Are we going to end up calling this the lost season of '22?

This is not going to age well. I had multiple silver maples that just woke up today.

[Greenfin]

Phenomenal run today. Second best day of the year so far.

[Keitha333]

My Silvers for the most part woke up again as well. Not a lot of sap (12gal) but showing signs of life!

[Keitha333]

I did not think today was very ideal for sap conditions in Milaca but was very surprised to get 33 gallons off 50 taps. The high for the day was only 37? The trees will run when they want to run I guess.

[dew042]

I did not think today was very ideal for sap conditions in Milaca but was very surprised to get 33 gallons off 50 taps. The high for the day was only 37? The trees will run when they want to run I guess.

Got 15 gallons off my 30 something taps at 3% sugar, good for this year. I think we might get a 11th hour turnaround, the next several days look great and my trees are still super asleep. Hopeful they'll make it through next week too. I'm ready.

[SDdave]

I think we might get a 11th hour turnaround

And that is what happened to me! Vast majority came in the last week. I've been quite pleased with the sugar content as well, it's been sitting around 3.2 so can't complain!! Last day for me for collection, but it's not due to the weather at all, my son has a 3 day event for a club through school. Leaves me with half a day to finish bottling & 1.5 days to complain about washing buckets!!

Good luck to you all for the remainder of your seasons!!

SDdave

[Schnep's]

We collected 80 gallons on 4/31 and 90 gallons yesterday from 110 taps. didn't freeze much last night.
We will see what the next few days brings. Sap is running about 2.9 to 3.0.
South end of Mille Lacs.

[ChaskaSap]

Went out on vacation last week and my neighbor collected 150 gallons for me on Thursday/Friday. Got back yesterday and most trees are a facet. Got another 60 yesterday and 30 so far this morning. The season looks to be saved. Nice thing to come home to.

[Keitha333]

Looks like a shut down of the trees for a few days coming. I am hoping for a good day or two later this week and then I think I will be pulling taps with an all weekend boil in hopes of 3-5 gallons this weekend. I have 125 gal in barrels that I hope makes it. Sure has been an odd year and even more odd sapping this late into April. If everything makes it until this weekend it will end up being a good year which seems weird to say after the start we had and the mindset I was in with the frustration of the early weather...

[Keitha333]

Just had to dump 40 gallons in storage that went bad on me....off smell and cloudy. Hopefully Friday and Saturday produce...

[dew042]

Hopefully Friday and Saturday produce...

They look quite good, with luck I'll end up matching last year. That should be the end, my trees are still very undeveloped, but I don't see any near term freezing. Still a disappointment with more trees tapped this year. So many of my sugar maples just never produced this year and I resorting to tapping silvers on the more dangerous Rum River floodplain. Decent flow earlier this week.

Is the sun ever going to come out this spring? What gloomy drudgery. Boiling today in blowing snow was awful.

[Bombadil]

My trees (silvers) have not given me anything in the last 4 days. This season may be done, since the weather is looking to get warm and stay warm.

[BigPine]

NE Corner of Mille Lacs - 96 taps 290g sap; cooked 250g got just short of 5g syrup. That's 2% sap which is normal for early sap for me.
The few silvers I have yielded zero, and it seems some of the others have turned off completely, while others are still trying.
We still have some snow - maybe it's not done.

[Keitha333]

Just pulled taps, and boiled down about 140 gallons. Will finish it tomorrow but already can tell it is going to be dark. Tasted great so that is good! What an odd season with ups and downs. Hopefully next year we will have more consistent weather where I live. Should be close or a little over 10 gallons for the year. but will report after I finish.

[dew042]

Pulled my buckets, left my taps.

Still feel like my trees are very early in developing, even the shadier silver maples seem like they have barely started budding and are flowing still as of this morning.

What's the chance the sap is still flowing after three 50F-ish days with out a freeze?

Sap sugar has been strong, 3.25% overall, but some of the silvers taste like koolaid, registering 4%. Sap volume very inconsistent, especially on the smaller trees.

[Greenfin]

Just pulled taps, and boiled down about 140 gallons. Will finish it tomorrow but already can tell it is going to be dark. Tasted great so that is good! What an odd season with ups and downs. Hopefully next year we will have more consistent weather where I live. Should be close or a little over 10 gallons for the year. but will report after I finish.

What’s your location? And why didn’t you want to give next weekends cold snap a shot?

[Greenfin]

Well, it looks like next week we are going to have five straight days of freezing temperatures at night. I think I’m gonna leave my stuff and give it a try. Anybody else going to keep their stuff in until after next weekend?

Is there any buddy who’s been doing this long enough to remember great late season runs?

[Pdiamond]

dew042 what does your extended forecast look like? I went a week here before we had another freeze and the trees ran again. My lowest sugar has been 2.6% all season. I still have trees producing sap and no buds swelling, that I can't figure out. I would put your stuff back up.

[dew042]

dew042 what does your extended forecast look like? I went a week here before we had another freeze and the trees ran again. My lowest sugar has been 2.6% all season. I still have trees producing sap and no buds swelling, that I can't figure out. I would put your stuff back up.

Last hard freeze was Friday night, Sap was flowing well on Saturday and even on Sunday with a 32-ish low. 50's Sat-Tuesday, 40's Wednesday with a hard freeze and then back to nightly freeze and 30/40's during the day for as many days out as I can see.

My silver's might be done now, but my sugar maples are so much farther behind. Abnormally cold winter followed by abnormally cold spring and drought last year is probably making things even weirder. The sheer lack of sunny spring days so far has been noticeable.

Taps still in, buckets cleaned and ready to deploy for one last go at it on Friday, which is set to stay under 32F all day.

[SilverLeaf]

taps are all pulled here in Marshall. If I had hard maples I would have left 'em to see what later this week brings, but my silvers are all flowered out. All in all a good season. Average amount of sap but very high sugar content.

[Keitha333]

What’s your location? And why didn’t you want to give next weekends cold snap a shot?
I am in Milaca, I would love to give it more time but I can only boil on the weekends and the kids have filled them up for me!

[Greenfin]

I am in Milaca, I would love to give it more time but I can only boil on the weekends and the kids have filled them up for me!

I hear that

[dew042]

Buckets set back last night. Cautiously optimistic on 6 days of favorable temps to end the season.

[Greenfin]

I went out and dumped all my bags that had about a half gallon of them because it was pretty stinky stuff. The ones that had a gallon or more I kept and emptied just now at midnight. That way it gives the sap a chance to cool. . I ended up with about 55 gallons plus on my 120 taps. Best last run ever?

[Greenfin]

I went out and dumped all my bags that had about a half gallon of them because it was pretty stinky stuff. The ones that had a gallon or more I kept and emptied just now at midnight. That way it gives the sap a chance to cool. . I ended up with about 55 gallons plus on my 120 taps. Best last run ever?

[Schnep's]

Just finished last batch yesterday.ended season with over 34 gallonsrerecord year.ran really good the last few days. Just had to stop,really tired.

[Keitha333]

Just finished last batch yesterday.ended season with over 34 gallonsrerecord year.ran really good the last few days. Just had to stop,really tired.
Excellent! Glad to hear you got some good runs in! All said and done I had my best year as well 11.25 gallons. It was an odd year