Red Roof Maples 2021

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Russell Lampron

This year I think that the dark syrup is because of the small sap runs and not being able to boil every day.
...

Last season I think it was because of the low sugar content. It was rare to see it higher than 1.2% and it was usually below 1%. This season, other than the first run it's been running between 1.5 and 1.8% which until last season is pretty much normal for my trees.

---

Same here, Russ. I tap 150 reds and I usually get a batch or two of Amber at the beginning before hitting Dark for the rest of the year. This year I started in Dark due to the slow start, small runs, too much time between boils. Hoping it gets back into to Amber with the decent weather, but I almost doubt it.

Also, I have had other people comment on my syrup be very flavorful as well, so I think there is something to this Acer Rubrum.

BTW, I started out at 1.7%, went to 1.5% and was back to 1.8% yesterday.

I boiled for the 3 day in a row and made another 15 1/2 gallons of dark last night. I'm at 73.5 gallons for the season now.

When I changed the side of the evaporator that I draw from I noticed that I had forgotten to switch the plug in the flue pan before the weekend. I boiled all weekend with the sap coming in on the side that it was feeding the front pan from.

I woke up to 25 degrees this morning, another good freeze. It's supposed to get to 64 today and not freeze again until Monday. The buds are starting to swell on the reds. I hope that the forecast is wrong!

Best of luck Russ on your last season

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sweet Maple Trees

Best of luck Russ on your last season

---

Thank you! It has been a tough year to get sap but it has been fun to be able to get everything done without having to fit it in around my work schedule. The nicest thing about being retired is that I can do what I want when I want and being able to fix things when they break.

Last night was the biggest boil of the season and the first one that was over 1000 gallons at 1025. It's probably the last one over 1000 gallons too. I'm at 88.5 gallons of syrup now, all dark. I'm at about a half seasons crop for a normal year and with the weather possibly done for the year. Time will tell!

What a difference a couple of days and 27" of vacuum makes. I pumped out my 550 gallon woods tank yesterday afternoon and left about 25 gallons in it. I wasn't expecting much overnight with no freeze and some rain too but found 475 gallons in the tank this morning. The season ain't over yet!!! It's testing at 1.2% sugar which is pretty good considering the circumstances. My bulk tank is nutted and I'll be boiling tomorrow.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Russell Lampron

What a difference a couple of days and 27" of vacuum makes.

---

Yup, it ain't over til it's over. Vacuum is a wonderful thing.

yep my trees are popping but the vacuum is an awesome thing!!! still getting sap!!! sap is about 1% still

I decided to call it a season yesterday and I see that I'm not the only one.

I had 1250 gallons of sap for the biggest boil of the season and also the last boil for Red Roof Maples. We lit the evaporator for the last time and then I poured some shots of amaretto for a toast. The shots were poured in 2 oz sample cups for appropriateness. The toast was made and the boil commenced. An hour and a half and 18 gallons later we were done.

I finished the season with 106.5 gallons of dark syrup made. The sap for the last boil was cloudy and I could taste a hint of bacteria in the finished syrup. I don't need the syrup so I decided to dump the contents of the evaporator and start cleaning up. I finished the season with a little over a half crop which is the worst in my 21 seasons. It was even worse than 2012 when I made 132 gallons.

Even though it was short and the production was low it was a fun season because I was able to devote all of my time to it. In some ways I'm sad that it's over but am happy that I can now close this chapter of my life and move south to be with my family.

I've made a lot of friends on the "trader" over the years and am sorry that I didn't get out to visit some of you this year. Every time that I tried to get away there was something that needed my attention and I had to stay and take care of it.

I'm sure that when maple season gets here next year I'll be lurking to check in on you guys and to answer questions and give advice.

Good luck in the future .

You had a heck of a ride and I enjoy/ed reading your posts. Enjoy your family time!

Best of luck Russ! If the bubble master wasn’t making light the rest of us won’t. I had a good boil Saturday. It’s still trickling in. I think I’ll dump the sap tank tomorrow and start fresh Tuesday. At 2/3 of a normal crop

Thanks for all your contributions on here Russ. Congrats on ending this chapter and good luck on the next one.

One of the Best reads on the Trader. One door closes and another one opens, I am sure you will come up with a new Hobby down south. Spoiling Grandkids maybe. On a note about your season and saying that your production wasn't steller but it was a great season. I tell people that all the time, People will ask if it will be a good season and I say everyone of them are. Good luck Russ

Every season in the woods and in the sugar house is a great season. No matter how long or how short it is, it always seems like it is too short to end. I’m sure it is going to be hard to let go of everything when you move south. Good luck with your future endeavors and don’t be a stranger on here.

Russ,
Good luck in your move down south and future. You have helped and inspired many folks here on the trader! Wishing you and your family the best!
Regards,
Chris

Russ,

Always enjoyed reading your posts you'll be missed for sure.
Thanks for all of your shared info on the Bubble Master and colorful commentary over the years.
Curious, what do they call a boiling soda down south?

Thanks for the well wishes guys! Maple people are the best and sharing information with all of you has been fun. I just looked and I joined the "trader" in 2002 and I've contributed over 5700 post! I'm going to have to stick around to reach my 20th anniversary. I still have a wealth of knowledge and can still share it even if I'm not making syrup anymore.

I was one of the first small producers here to get an RO and the information that I shared here helped clear up the some of the myths surrounding that machine. I'm sure that there's a lot of producers here that got one because of the information that I shared.

I'll be helping a large producer in PA next year to get my maple fix. I met the guy, PATheron for those of you that remember him, here and we became good friends. Maybe I'll start a thread in the NH section about my experiences in PA next season.

As far as hobbies are concerned I'm bringing my doodlebug tractor to NC with me and plan to drive it in parades. Anyone want to ride shotgun and toss candy to the kids? I'm also going to be looking for a full size GM convertible that I can polish up and go to cruise nights and car shows in. I found a nice 1966 Impala SS in TN last summer but couldn't buy it. It was low mileage and had an original looking 327 under the hood.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by johnallin

Russ,


Curious, what do they call a boiling soda down south?

---

Moonshine!

Hey Russ I have a 1964 malibu convertible with a 283 in it. original engine and tranny. she starting to get soft in the rear fenders and inside the trunk. my step father said he let it go for 5000.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by amasonry

Hey Russ I have a 1964 malibu convertible with a 283 in it. original engine and tranny. she starting to get soft in the rear fenders and inside the trunk. my step father said he let it go for 5000.

---

Sounds like a good price but I'm looking for a rust free southern car.

It was a beautiful day to be in the woods and if I was still going I would have probably gotten a good run. Instead I was bringing my tank and releaser back to the sugar house and pulling my taps. It's all done but the clean up now and I've got a pretty good start on that.

Well Russ you do put out good info and good luck in N.C. There have been alot of sugar makers that have come and gone on this site over the years. I hope you injoy your retirement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brian

Well Russ you do put out good info and good luck in N.C. There have been alot of sugar makers that have come and gone on this site over the years. I hope you injoy your retirement.

---

+ 1.......

Hey Russ I have a 1964 malibu convertible with a 283 in it. original engine and tranny. she starting to get soft in the rear fenders and inside the trunk. my step father said he let it go for 5000.

It was me that asked that question and thanks for the update on Theron and Matt.

Last I remember, Theron was ~8000 taps, running 2 RO’s (redundancy), and a 4’x12’ ish oil evaporator. What’s he doing now? I always enjoyed reading his posts. Lots of energy. If you make it up there during the season, it’d be interesting to have you start a thread and keep us posted on it.

It’d be great to have you keep tabs on trader and add your input.

Good luck with your retirement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amber Gold

It was me that asked that question and thanks for the update on Theron and Matt.

Last I remember, Theron was ~8000 taps, running 2 RO’s (redundancy), and a 4’x12’ ish oil evaporator. What’s he doing now? I always enjoyed reading his posts. Lots of energy. If you make it up there during the season, it’d be interesting to have you start a thread and keep us posted on it.

It’d be great to have you keep tabs on trader and add your input.

Good luck with your retirement.

---

I haven't kept up with what Theron is at for tap count and equipment but the last that I had heard was that he has about 10000 taps now. His evaporator is a 6 x 14 and as far as I know he's still running the 2 RO machines.

I am planning to go up to help him out but at this point I don't know how long I'll stay and what part of the season I'll be there. I will start a thread to keep everyone updated.

Make sure you tell TTHHEERROOONNN, I don't have many hero's in my life, but, he is one of mine. I remember his first posts and what he started with. The man is the definition of stone cold hustle.

hey Russ just wanted to say I always enjoyed reading your thread. learned lots here and will always remember the guy that made the term "boiling soda" famous!!! good luck with the move, retirement and whatever the future brings. Besure to start a new thread on here next year and check in from time to time during the season so when we are running around and falling asleep at work and leaving the wrong valves open and spilling sap, and the releaser hang ups etc. you can post about relaxing sitting on the porch drinking sweet tea!!! :lol: