Red Roof Maples

Sitting here drinking a boiling soda as I write this. I had a good weekend for getting maple things done. The snow removal was only minor compared to what it has been. I got my releaser set up and got 100 of the 200 taps that I have on vacuum tapped. Ran out of battery and daylight at the same time. If I had a fresh battery I might have tried some of that night tapping like Matt and TheROn.

Went to Bascoms this morning to sell some commercial syrup. He is paying $1.90 lb right now. He said that he has about 3/4 of his taps in and that it has been too cold.

Things have started here in Loudon. Hopefully we get the BIGSAP and have a good season for a change. I have had to deal with a lot of problems to get this far.

Russ

Hey Russ
I put out 100 taps on a gravity line. Sap was running like mad.

Russ-

You gotta waaaaaannnt it.

All I want now is sleep. Glad you got some drilling practice. Now get some sap flowing into those tanks. Banner year coming your way. Get ready. Might have to burn two cords of wood this year.

I am thinking about asking a local producer with too many taps if he wants to sell me some sap. My father has a cord of small wood that I could use if I burn up the 2 cords that I have.

Besides the loyal customers that I have I have a couple of prospects for larger volume sales.

I wasn't able to start tapping until 4:30 but most of the trees were at least wet and some were running pretty good while the sun was still out.

BIGSAP MARCH is coming! It is going to be a banner year.

Russ

Hi Russ,
Talked with a guy in Claremont today who was tapping.
He said nothing that he had done was running.
He said he had tapped yesterday too.
Still a bit too cold over here yet.
The sun getting higher and it is warm, which is a good sign of things to come.
National Weather Service says about 40 around here tomorrow, however, back into the deep freeze again (-6 Thursday night into Friday morning).
Next Sunday around 35 as it stands now.
We know that can change.
With the snow we have it has to be a good year!!
Was going to tap today but decided not to, next Sunday for sure, don't want to get caught short!
Stay safe watch your icy footing!!!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I usually try to get my taps that are on vacuum in first. I have to work until noon next Saturday and still have 450 taps to put in. I'm not expecting much sap this week anyway.

Fell a little short of where I wanted to be but did it the way that I wanted to do it. It is looking like next week is when it is going to start and I should be able to get all of my taps in next weekend so that I will be ready for the BIGSAP.

Russ

Finished tapping the tubing that I have on vacuum, about 200 taps, this afternoon. Had to dig some of the mainlines out of the snow and had to bend down to tap some trees. The sap was trying to run but it was too cold.

Going to try to get the tubing in my parents woods tapped tomorrow but have to get through with the tractor first. There is more than 4' of snow in the woods and even though we have been keeping the sap roads open all winter it is just getting to be too deep.

Russ

Definatly tough sledding,,but I think it will be worth it,,,are you finding a lot of branches on you lines?? Over this way we must have had a big wind that I missed??? I had most all the lines walked-cleaned off around new years,,,,,Good luck!!!!!!

Yes I have found a lot of branches. The heavy snow is breaking them out of the trees.

Everybody is having a tough time in the woods this year. If I didn't have snow shoes I wouldn't have gotten anything done yesterday. I hope I can get everything tapped before the BIGSAP comes. I can't afford to miss any. I only have one small tin log cabin left from last year.

Russ

Good morning Russ,
Not quite as much snow over here, but there is enough!!!
I travel to Concord two days a week and there is a lot more snow between Newbury / Bradford and Concord area.
The snow on the crust is maybe half way to the knees (I'm 6').
Haven't found any branches on the lines this year and they are located at the height of the land. I was suprised with the wind we've had.
We're going to tap today, all 130 of um!!!
Friend of mine is coming over tomorrow to help me set up the EEU.
Got the sink and the filter / canner set up yesterday.
Have you ever had one of those days ............ I did yesterday, at noon I was ready to find a case of boiling sodas and say to heck with it!!!!
But I didn't, kept plugging.
Stay safe, keep upright on the ice!!

Dave