North West Wisconsin 2022

[Jeff E]

It's that time of year, even though the forecast is for a foot of snow in the next 2 days, and another cold snap.
I am making plans, getting the sugar house in order, etc.

My goal is to be fully tapped by March 5th. Nothing in the forecast looks sappy, but hey, March is March.

Expect about 2500 of my own taps, plus maybe 400 from RN and DN.

Best wishes to you fellow cheeseheads, enjoy the deep snow, and remember to hydrate!

[Brad W Wi]

Yes it's getting to be that time. I hope to start tapping soon as well. 400 taps/pails

[GramaCindy]

Hey Guys,
I guess with that many taps, you have to start early! I typically tap around St. Patrick's Day up here, but then again, just 100 taps. Have a great season

[18mile]

Tapped and ready here

[Merklin Maples]

A little too cold here in Hayward to think about tapping yet. With well over a foot of snow in the woods, extreme cold and the ice storm last weekend, I don't expect to tap for another week or so.

[gouldjs]

Getting ready in Polk County, post reports of run/no run with these temps the next few days please

[Brad W Wi]

OK I'm all set. I finished up two days ago. Tomorrow I'll haul over water and I'll be ready. Warm weather is predicted all week so the snow will go down and hopefully be running by the end of the week. This is the first time in about 5-6 years II was ready early. I hope it pays off

[Mercer Maple]

First time poster, Mercer area, 4th year of making syrup. Tapped 75 trees and hung old style buckets on Sunday, March 13. 40 degrees right now and no dripping. Serious snow in the woods and without my bearpaws I'm dropping down up to and over my knees. Expect better things yet later today and into the week.

[TwoSaps]

Hey, Mercer Maple. We're pretty close to you, over by Winchester. Put in 22 taps last evening, and similar results -- nada. You are a stud for putting in 75 taps through this deep, wet snow. Hopefully today's warmth will wake up the trees from their long slumber.

[Mercer Maple]

Hi-nice to hear from you TwoSaps. Still no action from my trees. My best producer has given me a cup as of yesterday--no good. I've been stomping my collection path daily trying to compact the mash potato snow. Looking forward to just wearing my boots in the woods. How long you been making syrup in Winchester?

[TwoSaps]

Hey, Mercer Maple. We've been making $1000/gallon syrup only since 2016. The trees in Winchester are still sleeping. Every year we say (in retrospect) we tapped too soon. Then we do the same thing the next year. But this year it really seems to be a particularly slow start. Maybe things will get cranking this weekend.

[shedhunter]

Trees finally started dripping today in south east Sawyer. Roots are starting to get exposed. Probably still 8-10" of mushy snow average and more in the shade. Quite a few bags 1/4 full today and maybe even a couple half full.

[Merklin Maples]

Here in the Hayward area I started to tap yesterday. Put in 50 taps and most were dripping well. Today putting in another 50. Glad I waited this year.

[Mercer Maple]

Last Saturday and Sunday got me a little bit enthused, nothing to write home about but some progress. However, today's drip in Mercer was a bust. Next few days don't look all that promising, but I'll keep making my rounds and take what I can get.

[Mercer Maple]

Good Morning TwoSaps--I have not collected anything in the past week. Assuming the same for you? Maybe today the trees will turn on again. What do you know about buddy sap? I recall last year at this time I shut things down as some of my red maples looked to be budding/flowering out. Not the case this year, but looking forward, I worry about contaminating my sap storage with good and bad sap.

[TwoSaps]

So far we've only collected about 80 gallons on 45 taps, since 3/16. Finally starting to drip today in the bright sun. Last year we were done on April 6. Based on the glaciers still covering the ground, we might last a bit longer this year. On the bright side, had a very lovely cross country ski this morning.

[Merklin Maples]

Collected 70 gallons from 100 taps yesterday. Todays forecast looks goof for another run.. Maybe more to come in the next few days. Hayward.

[Mercer Maple]

I got 54 gallons from 80 trees on April 3. Weird how some of my trees run like crazy and some so-so. At times similar looking trees right by each other? Regardless, happy to see some sap.

[Mercer Maple]

Anybody out there? In Mercer, my son and I tapped 20 trees on March 15 and then followed with 55 on March 16. A bit of dripping on the 16th. A lot of work hauling buckets out in the snow. Snowshoes mandatory.

[GramaCindy]

Hey Mercer, I'm North of Hayward. Still haven't tapped. Hopefully later this week. The snow is so darn deep. Don't think I'm missing anything yet

[Mercer Maple]

Hi Maple addict---I like your sugar shack photo. I'm going to build a timber frame one this summer. 14' x 16'. Worried about how I am going to handle all those heavy timbers! In 2024, looking forward to boiling indoors versus the elements.