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Holy cow...that's fantastic. I never get anything close to that...lucky to get 150 gallons from 100 taps in that time. Granted, I constantly battle leaks from deer and squirrels in my basically forest conditions, and my trees are mostly over 100' tall and take a while to really get going. Nonetheless, great haul!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitchell tapper.
Mike, any interest in teaming up? I've got 12 acres of mostly maple forest on the north shore of Lake Lemon and only have tapped maybe 1/10th of my maples (100 taps). Have a 2x4 mason evaporator on site and an 8 cartridge homemade r/o and homemade lunchbox vacuum and 2 250 gal storage totes...and I haven't even had the time to break out the evaporator...I'm just r/o'ing and boiling on a turkey fryer at home and dumping what I can't get to because my work schedule combined with my son's high school bball games limits my time down there. I'm in Carmel. With a team approach (if not this year, maybe next) we could hit over 500 taps and have some big production (enough that I'd hire I friend's kid to help out)...just a thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan Cabin
Yep, that's the place. The Hinkle-Garton Farmstead. I've got about 80 taps out now, hope I have enough sap for a demo boil tomorrow. Had a number of taps running as I set them today.Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyL
Never hurts to consider something like that. I'll be at the site a bunch the next few weeks, have a "Backyard Liquid Gold " workshop from 2-3:30 tomorrow, and another one next Saturday (Partly sponsored by the IMSA now, usually have 15-20 participants in each workshop. We are always open the last Saturday of the month for the Museum Open Day as well, and will be doing the IMSA Maple Weekend in March. Anyway, it would be easier to explain my situation at the Farmstead in person, so hopefully we can meet somewhere!Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Franklin
I work for IU, based out of the physical plant. I drive by the farmstead several times a day, I noticed some bags hanging in the past few days. Looks like you lost a couple trees, there by the street.Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan Cabin
Yes, I'll try to catch up with you at some point! We live in Carmel, but I grew up in Bloomington and went to IU. My dad worked for IU almost his whole career and my grandfather was Vice President of IU for many years. I see us retiring down at Lake Lemon at least part of the year when the kids get older. I'll look forward to seeing what you are doing down there!Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan Cabin
Yeah, that hurt to see those get cut down. The one by the carriage house we had cabled 12-13 years ago, and that likely saved a lot of damage to that building. When the branch broke it ended up hanging from the cable about ten feet above the rooftop. The severe drought several years ago hurt some of those older trees. House was built in 1892, so our best guess is the trees date from that time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyL
Do you know Will Bowman? He’s a plumber for IU and does syrup, stops in the Farmstead a few times each season.
Wow, the “Franklin Hall” Franklin? That’s so cool! My dad was a ‘48 IU grad, and being a history buff I love stuff like this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Franklin
Had a high school kid from Noblesville in our first workshop yesterday. Spent a half an hour talking to him afterwards. Could I put him in touch with you as someone he could ask about syrup closer to home? I plan to look through the IMSA member list too.
Oh yeah, I know Will, We talk syrup quite a bit. He's making some very nice improvements/upgrades this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan Cabin
Hey Michael, yes, the same...lol! I'd be happy to talk to him. Most of what I do is down at the lake, but I typically r/o to about 8% and boil while I do it on a turkey fryer and wind up coming home with containers at about 25 - 35% and finish boiling and bottling up here because I run out of time...and my 2x4 Mason evaporator is buried deep in the garage at the lake behind 2 sea doos, a riding mower, and a golf cart, all with the batteries removed for the winter. Kind of hoping I don't have to roll everything out to get it, kind of hoping I do! But sure, happy to talk to him about my goofy hobby. My email is afranklin@indy.rr.com if you want to pass it on to him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan Cabin
I'm laying low with the temps we've had...are you getting any production? I haven't been down since the Monday before last. I have my lines running into a 250 gallon food tote, so I'd be shocked if I've collected much, and the temps should keep it fresh. Plus, with the density of my forest I find it is slow to warm up and get flowing. Looks like I'll head down first of the week to hopefully find some sap.