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220 maple
04-30-2008, 10:41 PM
I checked a couple of holes Monday April the 28th, Found one that was closed and others that will be closed before long. I have seen them closed by May the 6th before, new record on closure time. I took a picture with my digital camera. Hopefully my son will help me post it and others when he comes home from college tomorrow.
ennismaple
04-30-2008, 11:42 PM
That is early! What date did you pull your taps?
markcasper
05-01-2008, 01:48 AM
i had trees yesterday and the day before that ran 3 plus gallons of sap each, measured in the bag. i have never witnessed that kind of sap flow this late ever.
tapper
05-01-2008, 06:32 AM
Thats a sign of good healthy trees and a very warm April.
220 maple
05-01-2008, 07:44 PM
Ennismaple,
My trees shutdown the second week of March, pulled spiles about a week later. Several years ago I attend a seminar at a friends camp in West Virginia about 35 miles north of me. It was held in August, a saleman at that time for Waterloo Small by the name of Rick Lloyd was the guest speaker, We went out in the Sugarbush, he was amazed how well all the trees had healed. I remember him saying if they always heal that good I believe I would put more taps In. I have actually reduced taps per tree.


Mark 220 Maple
peacemaker
05-01-2008, 08:43 PM
i assume you are using tree savers?
peacemaker
05-01-2008, 08:44 PM
think its do to your trees being in the southern zones
WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER
05-01-2008, 09:24 PM
Nope, I am four hours south of Mark(220maple) and my holes don't close that fast. I have never heard of anything like that. Maybe he has some super trees.
220 maple
05-01-2008, 10:19 PM
Brandon,
My trees are far from super, When they start healing they heal from the inside out. About a eighth inch deep I'm guessing, my son who is home from school will help me post the pictures I took on the 28th, I feel sure we have a misunderstanding on my view of tap hole closure. They are far from being completely heal

I drilled 19/64 size holes this past season


Mark 220 Maple
WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER
05-02-2008, 08:35 AM
I also drill 19/64 and use 5/16" spouts.
ennismaple
05-02-2008, 01:08 PM
Ennismaple,
My trees shutdown the second week of March, pulled spiles about a week later.

Mark 220 Maple

I always find it interesting that some on this site are pulling taps when we're just putting them in! Our younger, more vigorous trees will be almost completely healed in a month or so. The big old girls might not be closed when we tap again next spring.