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If the sap is 34-35 degrees it will be fine for at least a week. The trick is keeping it cold. I have actually had it get 10 days old at the beginning of the season and other than being a little darker grade, it was very good syrup.Quote:
Originally Posted by upmep
Nothing happening up here yet other than getting things ready, some guys have started drilling, but there has been virtually no sap yet. My test tree had about a 1/4 cup from 2 days.
We had about 70 gallons collected Thursday and Friday - We boiled it down Friday night to about 2 gallons - will add it to the next batch if we can ever get the sap to run - We have had no run at all this weekend - We do the same with the blanket over the tank - we also freeze big butter tubs with blocks of sap to throw in the tank to keep it cool - Good luck send reports on how you are doing - Bill
I pulled five taps out of trees that have done nothing since I put them in on the 8th. Tapped them into trees that haven't been tapped for two years. Man! It was amazing! The sap actually ran out in a steady stream until it finally settled down to a good fast drip! I think I may pull the rest of them and tap some different trees tomorrow morning. I only seem to get about three weeks out of my tap holes before they peter out, and, I don't want to miss this run! Maybe because I tap Silvers? Anyway, good luck to everyone! Ted
I just finished pulling taps and 're-tapping in different woods. The buckets I hung yesterday are all about half full and the last 15 or 20 buckets I hung today we're running by the time I got the spile in. With a little luck I'll be boiling by the weekend. Good luck everyone! Ted
Pulled about 60 gallons today. All the south taps running well north taps not so much! Hope we get a good run friday before the next week of freezing temps!!! Bags seem to be alright so far. Big wind tommorrow maybe they'll put some weight on overnight.
GOD speed everyone!
We had about 125 gallon from the run on Tuesday thru Thursday - still not running real hard - started to boil last night will finish up tonight then it looks like we will be froze up until middle of next week. Bill
That's interesting IowaSap. I mean it makes sense that the south taps would run first, but, I tapped on the south side of the creek this year thinking they would run first because of the exposure to sunlight. They didn't. I pulled the taps and re-tapped on the north side of the creek (where the trees are shaded by the ones on the south bank) and they are running! Just for kicks I took a look at the tap holes on the south side this AM and they are still dry as a bone! Ah, Mother Nature! Ted
P.S. I collected 45 gallons yesterday and am hoping for at least as much today. Good luck Everyone and Have Fun!
Finally boiling a little. I've got maybe 25 gallons plus whatever I get today. The box elders are still the main ones running for me. I had about 3 gallons in one bucket in the shed and the raccoons or something got into it and drank and spilled it. Never had that happen before. Putting my lids on tighter now. Its nice to finally get started. Probably be it for a few days according to the weatherman. I will probably watch ncaa basketball while I'm cooking it down. To bad Iowa didn't keep going. Iowa state playing late tonight. Nice to see how everyones doing. upmep
What a frustrating year so far - Friday we only collected another 20 gallon on the 170 taps - It has not ran all weekend and it looks like Wednesday before temps are right and then we go right to above freezing at night- We have had the same issue on taps not running - 1 tree could have a gallon in it and a tree with in 20 feet does not have drop- Very confusing Bill
I agree bnbmaple syrup, it has been a very frustrating year. Trees that usually produce well haven't given a drop yet. I was finally able to boil on Saturday, only 60-65 gallons of sap, but it was better than nothing. I feel kinda bad for the people who might be starting out just this year. If it's frustrating to us what must they be thinking? Good luck Everyone, Ted