LMP Maple 2025

[LMP Maple]

Finally got around to jumping back on the trader. Added one inch mainline this year with 3/4 inch branches with all 5/16 laterals. Should have done this from the outset but as you all know we start out slow and get there. I am on pace to lose enough money this year to really feel like I am sugaring :lol: Many thanks to Jared at four paws maple for help with the installation. So off we go added a guzzler pump as well and up to 163 taps this year.
Now to tapping. The last time I looked I am thinking about this weekend but need to dive back into the weather tomorrow. Only will take me a day so I can really try to time it. This is looking like a more traditional start or may be. Last year I boiled on Feb 3rd. I don't see that happening this year. Trying not to get too trigger happy. I was tempted to tap this weekend but the association meeting and the cold weather forecast this week made the decision a little easier.
Association meeting was very good and one of the many things that stuck with me was when Dr. Tim from UVM said 80% of the sap we collect come from 20% of the sap flow events. In other word catch the big boys don't chase the margins at least at my tap count. Good luck to all the big and small timers in 2025. Might be a 2X6 in my future.........

[Hillcrest Maples]

Can't wait to hear how the mainline works. I started with a mainline on a shurflo, went terrible (did bad job attaching saddles), switched to all 3/16 on shurflo. Up to 230 taps this year, 10 runs of 3/16" all the way back to a guzzler with a manifold. Ran about 22" last year. I want to switch back to a mainline and 5/16 but am trying really hard to keep the projects down and the fun up this year. FYI, not sure if you are heating your pump box at all, but that guzzler will get the box up to 70 real quick. I'm adding a fan to my insulated/heated pump box this year to keep the temps down during the day.

[4 Paws Sugar Shack]

LMP I'm glad you're happy and excited for this year. I'm eager to see your holding tanks brimming with sap.
You're going to need that 2x6 real soon.
Hillcrest maple could I pick your brain about your homemade 2 post RO? I'm thinking of building one but don't really know where to start.
Thanks -Jared

[LMP Maple]

Almost pulled the trigger on tapping today. I had actually planned on it but by the time I got my yard and the neighbors cleared of snow it was cold and cloudy so I hemmed and hawed had a cup of coffee and decided against it. Of course now it is 43 and sunny. I hate this time of year, second guessing decisions watching the weather like a lunatic but I guess that is part of the fun.
So I've mentally moved on. Looking at likely Sunday to tap now, as always need to hammer down on the weather and make a call. Its funny I feel a little behind this year but I have tapped as late as the last week in Feb to as early as the last week in Jan. so need to stop overthinking it. With sugaring you always feel behind or like you are missing a sap run window, every year same story.
Thanks for the advice on the guzzler Hillcrest. Ill take the heat as long as it is working hard! Jared I hope you build that R/O. By far best return of investment by 100 fold.

[Andy VT]

Let us know what you end up doing, when you tap, what your collection system is (buckets?) and your season's yield!
Totally agree about that stress!
I've decided to be done with that stress and be a calendar tapper! (give or a take maybe 5 days)
(i.e., I've turned into an old timer!)
(I'll still be stressed out though)

[4 Paws Sugar Shack]

Phil I'm very interested in how you make out so keep me posted please and there is a r.o in the future for 4 paws but I want to be able to set it up right. So tank room addition, plumbing and some proper electrical. So it looks like raw sap this season, hopefully the sugar is up

[UB29]

Still holding on tapping here in Wilton. 10 day outlook doesn't look good. One or two days near 40, but that probably won't produce much with the trees being frozen up tight.
Funny, with last years' early runs, I was planning on tapping mid-Jan. With the cold weather this year..........might be looking at tapping mid-Feb. Crazy business, this maple stuff.
LMP, Good luck with the mainline; I think you'll love it. Have about 120 of mine on a 3/4 mainline; and it outperforms everything.
Hillcrest, I've had very good success with the DSD Stars saddles. One band clamp and you're done. Haven't had a leak yet.
Thanks, Bill

[LMP Maple]

Still holding off on tapping here. I feel like the scene in Braveheart where he is ridding down the line saying hold...hold....hold...just waiting to drop the hammer! Thought about drilling today but the snow/sleet we had on Friday into Saturday was still clinging tight to the trees. I'd like to see some of that melting off a bit before I hit the woods. I did make it out to the tank to set up the pump and do some woods clean-up. Tomorrow and Tuesday do look good temp wise then its back to the tundra. I don't think they wound run hard the next two days but maybe. Really the 10 day forecast is not a dead bang winner from what I can tell. At 163 it wont take me long. The waiting is the hardest part......

[LMP Maple]

Waiting, waiting, waiting. Still in a holding pattern here. 6 inches of slop coming tonight then 50 mph winds. Then cold at least into next weekend with another storm predicted for Thursday. I keep saying I'm tapping this weekend every weekend no matter what then the no matter what happens. I do not see anything above freezing into next weekend with the exception of a 33 or 4 here and there. I'm not worried, however a quick sustained warmup would really put us in a bad spot. The good news is I may actually have real sap for the open house weekend for once, hell I may not even be tapped by then :lol:
Thank god this is a hobby for me. It looks like they are doing well down south and they certainly have paid their dues with some bad years.

[UB29]

Same here, still holding. 10-day looks pretty good starting Saturday. May go for it then. Fingers crossed.

Bill

[LMP Maple]

Finally tapping tomorrow. Lots of snow in the woods, temps look good for most of the week. Not really confident that we will get a run but maybe. Going to take a bit for the trees to thaw out I think. Actually looks a little cold again after this week although who knows. I am using the leader check valve spouts this year so I should be able to keep the holes viable till the end of the season whenever that is.
Was in the sugarhouse today looked at last years calendar. Last year first boil Feb 5th last boil March 3rd. What a difference a year makes. Good luck to all!

[LMP Maple]

Fun times in the woods Saturday, got them all tapped. Seemed like it took a lot of effort this year. Lots of snow and getting older I guess. First time I have tapped in snow shoes, not fun. Spent Sunday morning dragging, via sled a generator I was planning on using from the shed to the pump house. Wanted to get the guzzler up and running to check for leaks before the real flow. Do you think I could get that thing running? of course not. Took carb apart to no avail, its an old cheap one and not mine. So off to Lowes I went 600ish bucks later got a real quiet one that should do the trick. Its always something with this hobby, enjoying the ride. My dream setup some day will have reliable accessible power and no hauling sap involved. Weeks looks real good if I can work out the kinks. Good times.......

[LMP Maple]

Decent flows last week made about 4 gallons after getting the pans sweetened up. Looks good tomorrow through the weekend although not many cold nights but the trees haven't really kicked in yet so I think we will be ok. Long range has me a little nervous but lets not think about that. Happy with the guzzler when I can run it. Sureflow has been ok but nothing in comparison. Nice two day break with the cold should be back in the thick of it tomorrow. Give it hell everyone.

[Hillcrest Maples]

What were you getting for sap sugar content? Started last week at .8% and the last run came in around 1.

[LMP Maple]

Took a 180 gallons out tonight at 1.6. It started at 1.1 a week ago so it is getting better. Guzzler has been on for 2 days straight now and still flowing not crazy but enough to justify running it. Just went down to check on it and fuel up the generator and have 50-75 gallons since I emptied it at 3. Still a surprising amount of snow in the woods and I am not sure that they have really started to flow yet. Next week looks scary warm and warm......

[LMP Maple]

All done in Hudson. Trees probably have more to give but the peepers are out and work is calling. I untapped today. 65 degrees so it was easy sledding. Good season for me 20 plus gallons made and I left sap in the woods for sure. The guzzler was great the sureflow not as impressive. Next year I need to use the guzzler all the time not just when I am around. Did 4 hours of the open house on Saturday only, and had about 60 people stop in so that was a nice way to end the season. Looking at a bigger evaporator for next year, keep your eye on the trader as mine will be going up for sale after all the fun of the clean up.
For those still in it give it hell. Looking forward to 2026!