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I'm in Rhodes, closer to Pinconning than Gladwin. I drilled a dozen taps yesterday (Feb 24). I ended up with 3/4 of a gallon when I got home this evening, so things are not running. We still have quite a lot of snow and ice. Temps are still low. I'm hoping for good flow in the next two weeks. A cold front next week will shut things down, highs in the mid 20's. I have more trees to tap once things start to flow.
Things look like they are about to let loose down here. ( Flint Area ) I know it's hard but be patient it's coming your way soon!
Cool. Can't wait. Nothing from the taps today. Big winter storm in order. I'll wait it out.
Here in Glennie - I'm getting a wee bit - about 5 gallons from 25 trees - nothing to get excited about. But - depending on the latest storm - I have to get busy and get the rest tapped. Hey Rhodes! - Jason & Tiffany. - My Granddaughter and her Husband - Stacie and Troy tap trees over your way. --- Have a Good Season. ---Mike---
Gladwin Co. (Rhodes) update. We have had freezing temps all weekend and today. I have 1/2 gallon on one tree, but frozen solid. The flow over the weekend was so slow. I decided to use the down time to buy some concrete block to build a steam table arch (3 pans). I also purchased a maple syrup hydrometer and some CDL Smart Spouts (clear). Last year I used 1/2" PVC water pipe, but I worry about damaging the tree, so we're switching to the smart spout with tubing and 5 gallon buckets sitting on the ground. Hopefully I will get decent gravity flow with these 5/16" spouts. Tomorrow and the rest of the week should be awesome for sap flow. I will be collecting heavy and boiling on Friday.
Finally, some decent flow! I'm totally in love with the CDL Smart Spouts!!! Using a 5/16" drill bit is perfect for the spout. I just tap it in lightly with a wood block. The flow with these small diameter spouts is awesome! I'm using gravity, and the sap is running very steady. I have a few spouts wired to milk jugs and some with long tubes running into a 5 gallon bucket. I predict a great week of sap collecting and boiling starting Friday.
SOunds like it's running good for you too! Awesome!
It finally is Don!! Had some good flow today, and set about 5 or 6 more milk jugs and two 5 gallon buckets with two tubes. We have about 10 gallons collected. I'm going to start boiling tomorrow.
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PS. Sap is coming out at 2.5%! Not bad.
Awesome! Pics !
The sap is flowing in Rhodes!!! Woot! I have about 40 taps set, collected 9 gallons so far. I'm boiling on a homemade concrete block/fire brick arch in a single full size, 4" deep steam table pan, and a pre-warming enameled stock pot. The weather here is 37 and sunny. The week ahead looks great. I should be able to get quite a bit of syrup made this year. Here are some pics. You Tube vid of the arch to follow.
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