Tapping for 2021

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Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Are you saying the roots that are below frost line will always be available for decent water/sap flow, but that the stem itself may not be? Especially if the frozen stem is insulated by snow surrounding it.

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Often that is the case yes. Once you're more than a few inches below the ground (especially if there is snow cover), the soil/roots will not be frozen. However water in the stem above ground, especially with snow packed tightly around the trunk, is frozen. Sap can't move up from the soil though the frozen section into the stem until it thaws out some. Generally that happens when the snow starts to melt back from around the base of the tree.

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Originally Posted by Gord

Just for fun I looked at the farmers almanac for 2021.
This isn't encouraging.
Remember last year’s almost snow-free winter in the Northeast? Well, this year our prediction is very different, with the possibility of a blizzard hitting the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states during the second week of February. This storm may bring up to 1-2 feet of snow to cities from Washington, D.C. to Boston, Massachusetts!

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Looks like The Farmers Almanac was right. More snow coming tomorrow too.

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Originally Posted by DrTimPerkins

Often that is the case yes. Once you're more than a few inches below the ground (especially if there is snow cover), the soil/roots will not be frozen. However water in the stem above ground, especially with snow packed tightly around the trunk, is frozen. Sap can't move up from the soil though the frozen section into the stem until it thaws out some. Generally that happens when the snow starts to melt back from around the base of the tree.

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Soooo??? .... being that we have many sugar makers in the region who are angry that winter actually has the nerve to show up this year, can we alleviate their pain at least a little bit by telling them that if they spend this "lock down time" by shoveling the drifted snow away from the trunks of their maple trees that they may get expedited sap service when the atmospheric conditions for decent sap flow do arrive?

easier to just blame all your woes on the groundhog -

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Originally Posted by Mike Van

easier to just blame all your woes on the groundhog -

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Its entirely possible I will be making Ground Hog Jerky in March rather then Maple Syrup. I do have a set living in a hole in the hill behind my shack.

I have them too, and they haven't showed their faces in a long time.
I'm really missing those long, in to the night or next morning, boiling days.
And all my new syrup making toys are just sitting there.

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Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Soooo??? .... being that we have many sugar makers in the region who are angry that winter actually has the nerve to show up this year, can we alleviate their pain at least a little bit by telling them that if they spend this "lock down time" by shoveling the drifted snow away from the trunks of their maple trees that they may get expedited sap service when the atmospheric conditions for decent sap flow do arrive?

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They might be even more excited to know that "cold" winters generally have a stronger association with good syrup production years than warm winters. Cool, wet springs (think "sugar snow") are also good.

The cold and snowy days are making tapping difficult.Attachment 21907

the longer we wait the longer the days get...
hopefully it'll hold off 'til mid March and there'll be an extra hour
of daylight and more sap daily!

This is setting up nicely in our neck of the woods in western Maine. If we can start the season with 2-3’ or more of snow around the trees, it’s usually a good season. May be long, may be quick but a lot of snow in the woods is key. Buy some snowshoes!!:)