Hey all Northern maple enthusiasts. Anyone else getting the itch with the expected temperatures forecast for the week over Christmas?
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Hey all Northern maple enthusiasts. Anyone else getting the itch with the expected temperatures forecast for the week over Christmas?
I have already tapped my trees and have had two boils. I may have another boil tomorrow, we will see how it runs. I expect more runs from the 23rd to 26th!
It would be tempting to tap some trees to try the evaporator I built with something other than water. I don't have enough trees to risk having some dry up during the spring run.
Since this is all sort of a bonus season for me, anything I get is good and if they dry up so be it, but I am real curious if they are still running in April like last year. That experiment on it’s own is worth the gamble.
Hey Aamyotte, I could pop in 30 or 40 taps easily here and run the sap over to your place. Not enough flow for me to run the big rig and set up the RO but I would be happy to supply the sap for you to test out your new rig.
Thank you for the offer that's very generous. The issue I have is that I don't have the time to make syrup either with work and the holidays. Work always gets in the way of fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Walls
I noticed yesterday that the sap was flowing. I have a few small 1" diameter trees along the driveway that I cut branches back a month ago and saw sap dripping from the cuts while out for a walk yesterday.
We are going to have six days in a row of above zero daytime temperatures, but almost no sap flow here, because the night time temps will also be above zero. I might get a little sap flow tomorrow. Today will be +1, with an overnight low of 0°, then only +3 the next day, then staying above freezing for the rest of the warm spell. A few days ago it was looking like much better flows.
Morning all…what’s the intel on tapping early if on 3/16 natural vac??…we are close to Sault Ste. Marie. Our normal season is march to mid/late April. Forecast shows a nice 2 week window coming up. If we tap now to catch it will that screw up our season later on??…thoughts??
I might be in the minority, but last year I tapped in December, February and March all on lines, and all of the lines were running in April. I cannot explain why they did not stop after 6 weeks, but I think if it turns cold again after the mid winter thaw, it kind of puts the 6 week clock on suspense.Quote:
Originally Posted by lewichuk19
There is no doubt that the sap runs better in March and April than February. Mostly because there is more daylight and a greater time for the sap to run.
For some people they can only dedicate 6 weeks to sugaring and if that is the case, the 6 weeks around here in March and April is when you want to do it.
I'm thinking your taps didn't dry up is because the lines prevented air getting to the tap holes and bacteria drying up the hole. I use drop tube to a bucket so the tube length is short and more susceptible to bacteria and drying out.
My first year here, Am I considered N Ontario? Lanark county?
have 40 taps to put in and planning on doing it last week of February more than likely.
thoughts?
If you are in Lanark County you are Eastern Ontario.
Everyone is welcome on the Northern Ontario thread. Lots of crossover. Welcome Proboot.
I got some sap this weekend. If I lived a little closer to the Bay, I think I would have had major flows. I will do my third boil of the year tomorrow. Just small quantities, but still fun.
Temperatures by the Bay can be 2-4° C warmer than where I am and I am only a 15 min drive away.
Anyone started setup for 2024 yet
I boiled two days ago and the sap is flowing again today and should flow more on up coming days.
Just seems so early to be boiling but I guess it’s gonna be one of those years. Just starting to think about running lines and have seen what looks like better conditions the next couple weeks then I had all last season. Not sure when I will drill but it might be soon. I try not to rush it but it feels like a year I might miss out if I wait to long.
I have had five boils so far this season, (just small volumes) and will have another one this coming week. Looking at the long range forecast, it looks like an extended mild spell, starting February 26th. As we get closer to the date, we will see if the forecast holds and how long the mild spell will last, but it might be the start of the season then.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/056K...7N3ERpFpq0W5vA
I was just looking at the long range and thinking of tapping on next Sunday if the forecast holds true.
I am really interested in seeing the long range forecast next weekend to see just how long the mild spell will last.Quote:
Originally Posted by aamyotte
If it lasts long enough into March, our lake ice could go out. It is only about 2/5ths thick as usual.
I am going to try and borrow another fire bowl, so I can double my boil rate on wood, and may reorganize my pan set up on the fire bowls. There could be a lot of sap flow after Feb 26. I will be tapping a few more trees in my yard, drops to 5 gallon pails.
I have zero faith in the forecast that far out.
That forecast will change Tuesday as meteorologists don't work weekends and this is a long weekendQuote:
Originally Posted by 4Walls
I don't get excited about long range forecasts either.
Although it can change, as it often does, this one has remained consistent and shows on a number of different weather providers. It may not happen, but I feel 80% sure it will.
Sap may flow tomorrow, certainly Wednesday and maybe some Thursday and Friday. The next week is still looking special.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/004z...4-l6WT2wdjXP0Q
Not too soon I hope.
We have lines to stretch and 600 taps to drill.....and no little helpers this setup
Well I guess I'm eating crow for supper. I think next week is actually looking good weather wise. My experience with the Weather Network is that they are professional backcasters and only marginal on the forecast. Think Im gonna start tapping in the next few days. Have 550 taps to drill. 250 drop lines to replace. Was considering either going smaller this year or bigger. I think I have a line on a property for another 300 or so taps. Not sure yet. This hobby spins out of control quickly.
They have a hard time predicting the weather the day of as well.
Adding another 300 is a big jump. I only added 6 this year and thought it was a good amount.
The sap flowed well yesterday and really well today. My buddy collected over 900 L and I doubled my previous best under this new hobby scenario.
The sap flow is still looking great up to March 8 and counting. Yesterday’s sap flow rivaled peak season flows.
We had a very late ice in and we are shaping up to have a very early ice out. Our ice is only a 1/3rd as thick as normal. It is a different year.
Anyone tap in the North Bay Area? I’m thinking of tapping some trees this Saturday.
I read a news article of people tapping in your area. Sap should flow the next two days there and from March 6 onward.
Sap should flow really well tomorrow and maybe Saturday. It will be too warm for a few days for sap flow after that.
I will be boiling Saturday with the sap I collected this week.
Im tapping in North Bay next Tuesday as its the only time i can get there. I was told the sap had good flow earlier this week in west nipissing. I put my taps in here Feb 27 and sap was full flow and flowed all night until the big freeze on the 28th. This year is 3 weeks ahead of last years tapping for me but glad I didn't tap earlier.
Im sure we are still due for a couple snowstorms and freeze ups so not overly excited yet. March is coming in like a lamb and may go out with a roar
Go tap early Saturday and you should get some good results.
I tapped in Corbeil on Sunday. I collected sap on Tuesday and Wednesday before the freeze. I anticipate the flow to start again today. We will see what the mild nights the beginning of the week will do.
Tapped in west nippissing yesterday and sap flow is really good. Hopefully it's the beginning of a long season.
Yesterday was my best collection day in Corbeil. I have 135L so far for my first boil on Saturday. It's odd having no snow in the bush collecting before the first boil though.
I went out last night and collected some sap. Ended up getting around 350l of sap. Took the day off work today because it's a pd day at school for the kids. Going to take my son and friend out to do some boiling today. Oh and shoot the bb and pellets guns!
Yesterday I collected 180L from the 51 taps I put in west nippissing on Wednesday and another 120L from the 26 taps at home this week. Tomorrow I will boil and then wait for the next cycle of good weather
Boiled down my sap yesterday. Took 12 hours to boil down the 350 or so litres of sap on my 2x3 flat pan. Minus a few times I let the boil stop to cook lunch, dinner and occupy the kids. Ended up getting 9 litres of syrup.
The snow is pretty much gone in the bush. And it's now maple bush mud season.
The sap ran extremely well overnight and this morning the best I have ever seen it.