Northern Ontario 2024

[4Walls]

Hey all Northern maple enthusiasts. Anyone else getting the itch with the expected temperatures forecast for the week over Christmas?

[Swingpure]

I have already tapped my trees and have had two boils. I may have another boil tomorrow, we will see how it runs. I expect more runs from the 23rd to 26th!

[aamyotte]

It would be tempting to tap some trees to try the evaporator I built with something other than water. I don't have enough trees to risk having some dry up during the spring run.

[Swingpure]

Since this is all sort of a bonus season for me, anything I get is good and if they dry up so be it, but I am real curious if they are still running in April like last year. That experiment on it’s own is worth the gamble.

[4Walls]

Hey Aamyotte, I could pop in 30 or 40 taps easily here and run the sap over to your place. Not enough flow for me to run the big rig and set up the RO but I would be happy to supply the sap for you to test out your new rig.

[aamyotte]

Hey Aamyotte, I could pop in 30 or 40 taps easily here and run the sap over to your place. Not enough flow for me to run the big rig and set up the RO but I would be happy to supply the sap for you to test out your new rig.

Thank you for the offer that's very generous. The issue I have is that I don't have the time to make syrup either with work and the holidays. Work always gets in the way of fun.

I noticed yesterday that the sap was flowing. I have a few small 1" diameter trees along the driveway that I cut branches back a month ago and saw sap dripping from the cuts while out for a walk yesterday.

[Swingpure]

We are going to have six days in a row of above zero daytime temperatures, but almost no sap flow here, because the night time temps will also be above zero. I might get a little sap flow tomorrow. Today will be +1, with an overnight low of 0°, then only +3 the next day, then staying above freezing for the rest of the warm spell. A few days ago it was looking like much better flows.

[lewichuk19]

Morning all…what’s the intel on tapping early if on 3/16 natural vac??…we are close to Sault Ste. Marie. Our normal season is march to mid/late April. Forecast shows a nice 2 week window coming up. If we tap now to catch it will that screw up our season later on??…thoughts??

[Swingpure]

Morning all…what’s the intel on tapping early if on 3/16 natural vac??…we are close to Sault Ste. Marie. Our normal season is march to mid/late April. Forecast shows a nice 2 week window coming up. If we tap now to catch it will that screw up our season later on??…thoughts??

I might be in the minority, but last year I tapped in December, February and March all on lines, and all of the lines were running in April. I cannot explain why they did not stop after 6 weeks, but I think if it turns cold again after the mid winter thaw, it kind of puts the 6 week clock on suspense.

There is no doubt that the sap runs better in March and April than February. Mostly because there is more daylight and a greater time for the sap to run.

For some people they can only dedicate 6 weeks to sugaring and if that is the case, the 6 weeks around here in March and April is when you want to do it.

[aamyotte]

I'm thinking your taps didn't dry up is because the lines prevented air getting to the tap holes and bacteria drying up the hole. I use drop tube to a bucket so the tube length is short and more susceptible to bacteria and drying out.

[ProBoot]

My first year here, Am I considered N Ontario? Lanark county?
have 40 taps to put in and planning on doing it last week of February more than likely.

thoughts?

[Bricklayer]

If you are in Lanark County you are Eastern Ontario.

[4Walls]

Everyone is welcome on the Northern Ontario thread. Lots of crossover. Welcome Proboot.

[Swingpure]

I got some sap this weekend. If I lived a little closer to the Bay, I think I would have had major flows. I will do my third boil of the year tomorrow. Just small quantities, but still fun.

Temperatures by the Bay can be 2-4° C warmer than where I am and I am only a 15 min drive away.

[Maplesapper]

Anyone started setup for 2024 yet

[Swingpure]

I boiled two days ago and the sap is flowing again today and should flow more on up coming days.

[Hkb82]

Just seems so early to be boiling but I guess it’s gonna be one of those years. Just starting to think about running lines and have seen what looks like better conditions the next couple weeks then I had all last season. Not sure when I will drill but it might be soon. I try not to rush it but it feels like a year I might miss out if I wait to long.

[Swingpure]

I have had five boils so far this season, (just small volumes) and will have another one this coming week. Looking at the long range forecast, it looks like an extended mild spell, starting February 26th. As we get closer to the date, we will see if the forecast holds and how long the mild spell will last, but it might be the start of the season then.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/056KQKGHkNM7N3ERpFpq0W5vA

[aamyotte]

I was just looking at the long range and thinking of tapping on next Sunday if the forecast holds true.

[Swingpure]

I was just looking at the long range and thinking of tapping on next Sunday if the forecast holds true.

I am really interested in seeing the long range forecast next weekend to see just how long the mild spell will last.

If it lasts long enough into March, our lake ice could go out. It is only about 2/5ths thick as usual.

I am going to try and borrow another fire bowl, so I can double my boil rate on wood, and may reorganize my pan set up on the fire bowls. There could be a lot of sap flow after Feb 26. I will be tapping a few more trees in my yard, drops to 5 gallon pails.

[4Walls]

I have zero faith in the forecast that far out.

[Someclown]

I have zero faith in the forecast that far out.
That forecast will change Tuesday as meteorologists don't work weekends and this is a long weekend
I don't get excited about long range forecasts either.

[Swingpure]

Although it can change, as it often does, this one has remained consistent and shows on a number of different weather providers. It may not happen, but I feel 80% sure it will.

[Swingpure]

Sap may flow tomorrow, certainly Wednesday and maybe some Thursday and Friday. The next week is still looking special.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/004zdE5p1Gu4-l6WT2wdjXP0Q

[Maplesapper]

Not too soon I hope.
We have lines to stretch and 600 taps to drill.....and no little helpers this setup

[4Walls]

Well I guess I'm eating crow for supper. I think next week is actually looking good weather wise. My experience with the Weather Network is that they are professional backcasters and only marginal on the forecast. Think Im gonna start tapping in the next few days. Have 550 taps to drill. 250 drop lines to replace. Was considering either going smaller this year or bigger. I think I have a line on a property for another 300 or so taps. Not sure yet. This hobby spins out of control quickly.

[aamyotte]

They have a hard time predicting the weather the day of as well.

Adding another 300 is a big jump. I only added 6 this year and thought it was a good amount.

[Swingpure]

The sap flowed well yesterday and really well today. My buddy collected over 900 L and I doubled my previous best under this new hobby scenario.

[Swingpure]

The sap flow is still looking great up to March 8 and counting. Yesterday’s sap flow rivaled peak season flows.

We had a very late ice in and we are shaping up to have a very early ice out. Our ice is only a 1/3rd as thick as normal. It is a different year.

[Brien]

Anyone tap in the North Bay Area? I’m thinking of tapping some trees this Saturday.

[Swingpure]

I read a news article of people tapping in your area. Sap should flow the next two days there and from March 6 onward.

[Swingpure]

Sap should flow really well tomorrow and maybe Saturday. It will be too warm for a few days for sap flow after that.

I will be boiling Saturday with the sap I collected this week.

[Someclown]

Im tapping in North Bay next Tuesday as its the only time i can get there. I was told the sap had good flow earlier this week in west nipissing. I put my taps in here Feb 27 and sap was full flow and flowed all night until the big freeze on the 28th. This year is 3 weeks ahead of last years tapping for me but glad I didn't tap earlier.
Im sure we are still due for a couple snowstorms and freeze ups so not overly excited yet. March is coming in like a lamb and may go out with a roar
Go tap early Saturday and you should get some good results.

[aamyotte]

I tapped in Corbeil on Sunday. I collected sap on Tuesday and Wednesday before the freeze. I anticipate the flow to start again today. We will see what the mild nights the beginning of the week will do.

[Someclown]

Tapped in west nippissing yesterday and sap flow is really good. Hopefully it's the beginning of a long season.

[aamyotte]

Yesterday was my best collection day in Corbeil. I have 135L so far for my first boil on Saturday. It's odd having no snow in the bush collecting before the first boil though.

[Brien]

I went out last night and collected some sap. Ended up getting around 350l of sap. Took the day off work today because it's a pd day at school for the kids. Going to take my son and friend out to do some boiling today. Oh and shoot the bb and pellets guns!

[Someclown]

Yesterday I collected 180L from the 51 taps I put in west nippissing on Wednesday and another 120L from the 26 taps at home this week. Tomorrow I will boil and then wait for the next cycle of good weather

[Brien]

Boiled down my sap yesterday. Took 12 hours to boil down the 350 or so litres of sap on my 2x3 flat pan. Minus a few times I let the boil stop to cook lunch, dinner and occupy the kids. Ended up getting 9 litres of syrup.
The snow is pretty much gone in the bush. And it's now maple bush mud season.

[Swingpure]

The sap ran extremely well overnight and this morning the best I have ever seen it.

[Swingpure]

I had a big boil two days ago and I am having another today. I am boiling 52 gallons I collected yesterday and I still have to collect today’s sap. I likely will be between 70 and 80 gallons to boil. Looks like another long day. I always like to finish and bottle on the same day as the boil. I know others do not do that. The sap is almost syrup when I pull it off the pan, so the finishing does not take that long.

The funny thing is with my two fire bowls, I actually boil faster than I was two years ago, but not anywhere near as fast as last year’s beast evaporator, which could boil at 13 gallons per hour. I call it a beast because it got very hot and consumed wood at a incredible rate.

Edit: As I was collecting, I reminded myself that this is a hobby and I do not need to have a long day. The 25 gallons I collected today, I can do tomorrow or it a few days.

I should have today’s boil, bottled by supper time.

[Someclown]

Sap has been flowing fairly well. In the past week I have collected 625 litres from 77 taps on drop tubes to buckets. Boiled down to 18 Litres but got a little carried away trying to finish in my flat pan just simmering while waiting for the coals to reduce and now I have to dilute with sap. I'm at 85 brix at 80 degrees.
If this keeps up it could be my best season.

[4Walls]

That's awesome. Don't jinx us northerners. Seems like everyone down south is pulling taps and I feel like we are just getting started. I've packed away 30 gallons so far. I missed the early early run. Only tapped after the last cold snap in Feb. This is my 23rd year making syrup here. Normally pulling taps late April. Latest I pulled was 6 May. The sap was still running but I was exhausted from the extended season. Looks like a few more days of good runs then a bit of a needed break. Time to clean tanks and pan to get ready for the next big push. I am anxiously hopeful that this could be a record year. Looking good so far. The only downside is I may have to fork out for another half pallet of bottles. Tough problem to have.

For reference and because I don't know how to have the fancy stats at the bottom of the post. I have 565 taps on gravity vacuum. 4x40 RO with a SS procon pump head. 2x8 70's vintage D&G arch with 2007 D&G SS flat bottom continuous flow pans. The whole beast is fired with pure filtered used veggie oil and runs really really hot. Saves me a cord of wood a day. Filtered through my open source SS 8 gallon vacuum filter rig. It is a 1 man operation.

[Brien]

Wow that sounds sounds like a great setup you have there. Where do you purchase your bottles from?

[Someclown]

4Walls that does look like a great setup. Is the burner similar or the same as an oil furnace burner?
I may have to look into something similar if that's the case as I have a riello oil furnace burner sitting around. I'm using approximately 1/3 face cord of mixed ash, maple, oak, birch, and poplar per 300L and run about 60L/hr if I fire hard and steady. I keep all the end cuts, 2" and up branches, and other non house firewood scraps for the evaporator when I'm cutting firewood so not much waste in that respect
Your neighbors must get hungry if they're outside when your evaporating. I remember following a bus that was a test pilot many years ago in Southern Ontario which ran on used vegetable oil and it made me want to stop and get some fries. Not sure if that's still the case with burning used vegetable oil but the smell of fries and maple syrup would certainly be something that would drive me to the nearest chip stand
Also my first year I haven't thrown money into the operation except for bottles and sap collection fuel

[4Walls]

That's about right. I was burning a cord per 1000+ litres a day and finishing about 25L of syrup in this rig. Im sure the oil system is similar to an oil burner. I dont use the high pressure oil pump and made my own spray nozzles out of crimped 1/8 copper flex tubing. I use a 18L Pepsi soda keg as a pressure vessel and have warm filtered veggie oil in that at 70psi air pressure. The oil exits the keg and then is piped into the arch. It is mixed with the same 70 psi air just before it enters. Creates a fine mist that continues burning all day. I use a tiny needle valve to control each the oil and the air mixture. I am the FCU. Each keg lasts about 3 hours of really really hot burn time. No smell of French fries. It burns too hot and clean. I would highly recommend building a little RO system first if you have access to power by your steam pans. I wish I had done that 20 years ago when I had 20 taps. Would have saved me thousands in fuel over the years. I built a 3 chamber 75GPD RO about 9 years ago and it was a game changer. Added more taps and then built a 4x40 RO 5 years ago and haven't looked back. I only bring my sugar up to about 10% but that is an 80% savings on fuel and TIME!!! You should head over some time and check the oil system out. It is portable and I have used it as a demo in a few of my buddies hobby arches. Easy to turn the burn rate up or down depending on the application and the desired heat output.

[Someclown]

4Walls, thanks for the info, Im going to do some research/testing with my riello burner and see what I can come up with. I have some friends that I can get used vegetable oil from during the summer months so I can get a good stock of it. If I'm in your area I would certainly appreciate the tour of your rig, thanks
I also agree with you on the RO, maybe I will purchase that piece by piece this summer.
The past three days have been some slow sap flows here but it's still adding up, and now another big freeze to replenish the trees for next week.
I used the search bar and saw your YouTube video about the oil burner, seems pretty straight forward with a lot of tweaking

[sergeaubin]

Hey all, i've been tapping for 11 years now and seem to have a high ration of sap to syrup. Im using an RO and boiling at 4-5% but getting a ration of about 52:1. I feel it's very high but not sure. Any ideas?

[Someclown]

Hey all, i've been tapping for 11 years now and seem to have a high ration of sap to syrup. Im using an RO and boiling at 4-5% but getting a ration of about 52:1. I feel it's very high but not sure. Any ideas?

Not sure if I understand you correctly but you should be using less sap to make 1L of syrup after going through RO.
Should be going from say 40:1 down to say 30:1 or lower not up to 52:1
40L sap not ROd=1L syrup
40L sap ROd would give you less sap with higher sugar content so say 30L RO sap=1L syrup
If I have mistaken what you mean then disregard response

[DrTimPerkins]

..warm filtered veggie oil ...

The WARM part is key if you're thinking of using many types of biofuels. They tend to have higher freezing points.

[4Walls]

Exactly Dr Perkins!! The oil gets pre warmed up to about 250f-300f for 3 reasons. First, this is above the boiling point of water. Sometimes, depending on how careful the restaurants are, there can be a little bit of water and cleaning solution left in the oil cubie. It is very obvious if there is water in the oil and it cooks off quickly. Secondly, it is much easier to filter out the French fry bits and passes quickly through the restaurant style 10" cone filters without getting clogged. Finally, it is much closer to the flash point of the oil when burning in the chamber. Most veggie oils flash at 450f +- so the spray into the flame ball ignites instantly and is self sustaining. There is no smell in the exhaust if it is burning right. It can be a bit tricky to get a proper balance between the fuel and the air passing through the needle valves and all of the different veggie oils burn slightly differently so there is no standard setting. Once it is set and burning properly, I rarely have to adjust the flame and one 18L cornellious keg tank will burn for about 2.5 hours.

Ninja edit- 2.5 hours in my 2x8 flat D&G pans. It can be turned down and burn slower if I want. I have also popped the spray nozzle out of my rig and quickly set it up at my buddies. He has a small CDL 18x48 Hobby. We got the tank and burner set up there in minutes and got the flame roaring. Of course the fuel was turned down for the smaller rig. It lasted over 5 hours of continuous burn.

[ennismaple]

Hey all, i've been tapping for 11 years now and seem to have a high ration of sap to syrup. Im using an RO and boiling at 4-5% but getting a ration of about 52:1. I feel it's very high but not sure. Any ideas? Sugar content been down this year. We often get multiple days over 3.0 Brix raw sap but never got higher than 2.7 this season.

[4Walls]

Looks like it might be a busy next couple of weeks. Zero signs of trees ready to even begin to bud. Weather forecast looks very promising. I'm gonna take the weekend to clean out the tanks and wash the pans to get ready for the next run. Got a great deal on a 40 inch, 12 gpm UV light to help extend the shelf life of the sap. Get that all plumbed into the RO system and then I think I can focus on just syrup. I even successfully cut out the air springs from my old truck and got them installed into the new truck. Take some pressure off the leaf springs when I cart 1000L cubies full of sap. That gets a bit heavy for a Taco.

[aamyotte]

This has been a quiet week for sure. I cleaned my storage tank and collection buckets last Sunday. The little bit of snow we got this week gave me the chance to repack snow in my 'ice box' that keeps my collection barrel cold. I have 117L to boil on Saturday, a quick 3 hours on my evaporator.

[Swingpure]

It should be a big sap flow day tomorrow afternoon and through the evening. More sap flow days ahead. I will only do two, maybe three more boils and call it quits.

[4Walls]

550 gallons of sap in the tanks yesterday and overnight. The trees had a lot of pent up energy after the -19c temps. Sap didn't start flowing til almost 1 pm even though it was +1 with sun at 9. Forecast for my area is looking ideal for this week. Super excited to see the results with this UV light plumbed in line. Hope it doesn't change the flavour by reducing the natural bacteria in the sap. It will certainly keep it fresh longer.

[aamyotte]

I was out collecting at 6:30 last night and the trees were still dripping. Wondering how much sap I will have when I go out back tonight.

[Swingpure]

Sap ran for me as well. My lines that I tapped in December have slowed down considerably, but are still producing. The few extended warm periods, I think increased the bacteria growth around the holes, that I never really noticed last year.

The holes lasted 13 weeks, before noticeably slowing down. I made Syrup in December, January, February and March snd collected it at a rate I could keep up with, without having too many long days.

I boil tomorrow. I will decide afterwards if it is my last one, or if I do one more. Sap will run enough to do 2 or 3 more, but I don’t want to push the season to the point it feels like a chore.

[Someclown]

This week and next were supposed to be good weeks for sap flows. Well the forecast hasn't even been close to what was predicted, there's only been one day of sap flow here this week "\_(°~°)_/" and so we wait. I was hoping to be boiling at Easter with my family coming from across the province. Hope is still there

[aamyotte]

I collected 96L from 54 active taps yesterday which was up from Monday. The lack of freezing last night will likely hamper the flow today. I can see the flows slowing down since my taps are a month old now. This weekend may by my last boil.

[Someclown]

That's awesome. Don't jinx us northerners.

For reference and because I don't know how to have the fancy stats at the bottom of the post. I have 565 taps on gravity vacuum. 4x40 RO with a SS procon pump head. 2x8 70's vintage D&G arch with 2007 D&G SS flat bottom continuous flow pans. The whole beast is fired with pure filtered used veggie oil and runs really really hot. Saves me a cord of wood a day. Filtered through my open source SS 8 gallon vacuum filter rig. It is a 1 man operation.

Well I guess I got lucky and didn't jinx us. Even though the weather was not as expected this week I've had a good run on the days I thought were going to be dry days. I will have a good boil for Easter after all

If you want the fancy stats at the bottom of your post here's how. Go to settings in the upper right corner of the page beside the log out tab click the settings tab there will be an edit signature tab on the left side column of the page. There is were you can add fancy stats to your posts.

[Someclown]

Just got back from the bush and collected 400L, what a surprise. Haven't been there in 4 days . It's full flow today +3* and snow flurries, go figure.

[Maplesapper]

Good flow today.
500 gallons but the sugar content is 1.2 %
2024 is officially over for us.

[Swingpure]

I pulled my taps on the lines today, as yesterday was my last boil and I had met all of my goals. It pained me to do it as the sap was running well as I was doing it. These are the lines that I tapped mid December.

Still some more cleanup to do.

My Buddy a little south of me has been overwhelmed with sap. This has been a good season.

[4Walls]

Not sure what is happening. My syrup is getting lighter as the season goes on. Might be because we had a really cold spell down to the minus teens for a few days and it tricked the trees to thinking its the start of the season again. Might be from the UV light killing off any bacteria and yeast. Either way. Still very vanilla and marshmallow flavours coming out the end.
Yesterday I only collected 140 gallons which surprised me. Was expecting more from a -5 night to a +4 day. It was quite windy here and I know the trees dont like that too much for sap production. Currently -5 this morning and shaping up to be a bluebird day at +5 with no wind. Fingers crossed. The spring songbirds are out in full force and greeted me with my coffee to a lovely soundscape.

[aamyotte]

My syrup last week was lighter than the previous 2 batches. Today's batch was dark like my first two. Sugar content is down on the last 2 at 50:1.

[Swingpure]

The last three days would have been flow days and it looks like there might be five more before one would call the season over.

I am still cleaning stuff and putting stuff away. I should be all done today. I am glad I stopped when I did, because I was done. I think to do sugaring for many years, it is much easier to keep doing it when you have family and friends helping and being part of the process. I started the hobby too late in life to make it a family tradition, and I had zero tradition myself, before starting.

[aamyotte]

I made 4.5L of syrup on Friday. Back in the shack today boiling down what I collected so I have storage space. I will probably take Wednesday off and do a final boil.

[Someclown]

Boiled my 400L from my collection on the 28th + another 50L from my yard trees from the past couple days. Family had a great time helping, loved the syrup and were able to take some home. Will bottle the remainder tomorrow and back to the bush for another big collection on tuesday. Then it will be day by day after that.

[Someclown]

Collected another 400 litres today from the past 4 days, still flowing good and still clear. Sugar content must be decent as I got 14 litres bottled from my last 450 litres I boiled on Sunday.

[aamyotte]

I collect daily and the flows have slowed down from a peak on Saturday. It's starting to lose its clarity a bit. I'm doing my last boil tomorrow.

[4Walls]

Same. Trees slowed way down. Didn't really get cold last night. -2 here. I know that they dont like to flow in windy conditions. I always thought it was a preventative measure in case they lose a limb. Maybe they could feel the big winds coming on. Ice just coming off the lake out front. No buds yet. No peepers either. Think we still have some time left. My neighbour is done with syrup this year. He offered to keep his 75 pails up for me and collect. I am happy to have the extra sap.

[Someclown]

Boiled my 400L from Tuesday plus another 80L for 14L of syrup and I made it a bit thick 69 brix
Sunday will be my final collection and tap pulling day. Final boil on Monday and then the fun part, cleanup

[4Walls]

Looks like an early end to the season this year. Managed to pull 600L sap yesterday. It's currently sitting at -3c, dead calm and not a cloud in the sky. Should have a good little run this morning before it gets too warm. Forecast is warm all week and nothing dropping below freezing. I think its time to pull taps and get things packed up. Weird tho. No buds on the trees. Sap is still light and fresh. No peepers in the bay.
Finished 11 gallons yesterday that will need to be filtered and bottled up today. On a positive note, was out to Magnetewan the other night and got a pail of smelts. Had a couple of good feeds and the rest went into the pressure canner. I love those little buggers.

[Andy VT]

The last three days would have been flow days and it looks like there might be five more before one would call the season over.

I am still cleaning stuff and putting stuff away. I should be all done today. I am glad I stopped when I did, because I was done. I think to do sugaring for many years, it is much easier to keep doing it when you have family and friends helping and being part of the process. I started the hobby too late in life to make it a family tradition, and I had zero tradition myself, before starting.

Gary, I've still enjoyed watching your journey. I think your next frontier is to keep the season to about 5 weeks. One of the sweet aspects of the tradition is that the season is short, leaving us eager for the next one.

[Brien]

I pulled all my taps last weekend April 1st and gave my friend the rest of my sap. Around 500 litres. I did 4 batch boils on my 2x3 flat pan and ended up with 43litres of Syrup. I could of kept going but I figured I had enough syrup. It was the easiest year for me this year. My homemade float box with head tank worked great. And the modifications I made to the woodstove to make the firebox smaller and adding a blower were well worth it. I ended up burning 3 face cords of wood. Not sure if that's good or bad, but it was definitely less wood per hour than last year.

The other reason it was a great season was I was able to drive my truck in the whole time, and I got an old atv last year as well and used it to collect the sap. Then to top it off my friend said he we would wash all my buckets and barrel since I gave him the sap! Pretty good win for me.

[Someclown]

Looks like an early end to the season this year. Managed to pull 600L sap yesterday. It's currently sitting at -3c, dead calm and not a cloud in the sky. Should have a good little run this morning before it gets too warm. Forecast is warm all week and nothing dropping below freezing. I think its time to pull taps and get things packed up. Weird tho. No buds on the trees. Sap is still light and fresh. No peepers in the bay.
Finished 11 gallons yesterday that will need to be filtered and bottled up today. On a positive note, was out to Magnetewan the other night and got a pail of smelts. Had a couple of good feeds and the rest went into the pressure canner. I love those little buggers.
Early finish to the season for sure but my best season with less taps and strange weather.
I was wondering if and when the smelt were running, thanks for the info.

[4Walls]

I have to admit that I am a little sad. I just bottled up 11 gallons of the most amazing, clear, amber grade syrup. Intense maple flavour. Almost too good to sell. I am shocked at how light (relative to mid/late season) syrup. The sap just stopped. No buds. Still no peepers on the lake out front. First few mosquitoes are out. I tapped late and didn't try to catch the freak very early season run in Jan/Feb. I should be humming along for the next few weeks. Normally pull taps last few days of April. I have pulled taps in the past early May. It was pulling dark syrup. I didn't even get close to dark this year. I did well. Managed to bottle up almost 550 litres of syrup from 575 taps. I have to admit, I was expecting more.
I think all the trees are done. I collected only 125 litres of sap today from all the trees. Still light and clear. No buddy flavour. Just not running and almost not worth firing up. I will, but will have to be very careful to not scorch or warp the pans.
The trees still have a lot of potential for good syrup but the weather just isn't there.
Good luck out there for anyone further north. I know the majority of the the maple guys are way south of me and have pulled taps weeks if not months ago.

[ennismaple]

I am shocked at how light (relative to mid/late season) syrup.

This sometimes happens right at the end of the season. Our sap was VERY cloudy and was leaving a milky residue in the tanks. The LT came back almost 40 points over the course of a 2 hour boil - but definitely did not have an Amber Rich flavour. I recall Dr Perkins explaining why this happens with end of season sap. Any time we've seen it happen the syrup has a "bite" so it's one of our signs that the season is over.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Carlton University works out for their buddy sap research project. I believe it's supposed to be a test strip you can dip into your sap to tell you if the sap has gone buddy before you boil it.

[DrTimPerkins]

This sometimes happens right at the end of the season. Our sap was VERY cloudy and was leaving a milky residue in the tanks. The LT came back almost 40 points over the course of a 2 hour boil - but definitely did not have an Amber Rich flavour. I recall Dr Perkins explaining why this happens with end of season sap. Any time we've seen it happen the syrup has a "bite" so it's one of our signs that the season is over.


That is correct. The sap spoils in the lines or in storage so much that it gets very acidic and during boiling never (or only for a brief time) gets above neutral (ph 7.0). Above neutral, boiling sap undergoes what is called "alkaline degradation" of sugar molecules, causing darkening and flavor formation. Below neutral this doesn't happen, so the syrup remains quite light-color, but with a "sour sap" or "fermentation" off-flavor...or the "bite" that is noted.

IF this happens, but you get a solid freeze afterward so that you get solid sap flows afterward, the lines can get flushed out and you'll make good syrup again. You may need to let some of the spoiled sap run on the ground and flush/clean the evaporator to get there, but depending on where you are in the season and what the forecast is...it is sometimes worth doing.

Once it turns buddy, there is little chance of a return to good flavored syrup.

[northwood]

My first and probably only post this year. It was a great season for sure. Tapped in the first week end in March (65 taps, 3 weeks early) had several good batch boils leading up to Easter week end which was a non stop 4 days of boiling producing 10-12 gallons of amber. Finished off the last boil April 8 and turned out approximately 4 gal. of dark syrup. Time to clean everything up and move on to other projects. until next year