Couple of trees are budding. Hardly any sap at all and it's cloudy and dark. I pulled the few taps that I had and called it a season. Had a blast and can't wait to start again next year!
Done today
Couple of trees are budding. Hardly any sap at all and it's cloudy and dark. I pulled the few taps that I had and called it a season. Had a blast and can't wait to start again next year!
It is sad to see the season end, as it seems all too short. It sure is a lot of fun -- now to start planning for next season!
2024 - 16 taps - buckets on our best producing trees, still boiling on a block arch with slight modifications/refinements over the years.
2021 - 25 taps - all buckets
2013-2020 - 30/41 taps: discovering which trees were the best producers
2012 - First year - 21 taps in our backyard - block arch evaporator with 3 steam table pans!
I was done Tuesday, but the trees aren't done yet. I'm giving the sap from my few taps to a nearby commercial guy. He's been a great help to a small-time guy like me.
I pulled my 24 taps today. I'm sure we could have gone at least a few more days, but we don't need the syrup. We will end up with about 5 gallons, which is plenty for the 3 in my house, my parents, and Christmas gifts.
Done today in NJ,boiled 65 gal and made 1.5 gal, of nice tasty stuff today from Sunday,Mondays sap,sad but happy and need a rest but I have to clean-up,rest later?? made around 13-15 gal total!!
2021 95 taps all on 3/16' natural gravity 2018 home built 4x40 RO 2017 1000 sap 15gal syrup 4 runs of 3/16 natural vac 1 of 5/16 2016 775gal of sap made 12gal syrup 2015 18.5 gal about 55 taps. Have the best wife! cub cadet volunteer 4x4 sap hauler
Pulling my taps today and calling it a year. 21 taps produced a total of just over 7 gallons of finished syrup. More than enough for my use and for gift giving.
Thanks to all for their advice and information posted on these boards. I use a lot of your suggestions and experiences.
Ya same here. Have to pull my taps this week. Have stopped running completely. I did a sample redrill on one of the tree just to check since weather has been perfect here for running but nothing came out of the new hole. Kinda glad it's over getting really short on spare time. I think i did just over 5 gallons. Everyone on here has some great ideas and have been alot of help. Now to start planning my sugar shack for next season !!!!!!!
Where in mass are you, we still have about a foot of snow here with some bare spots. We've made almost all grade A light but now getting darker. I think I got another week before its done here.Originally Posted by Swagner
2012
2'-6" by 5' homemade evaporator 12 gph
550 taps- 500 on gravity feed, 50 on buckets
Made 40 gallons of syrup
2013
Lapierre Storm 2' by 8', brand new
Don't know about swagner but I'm in Pepperell. We still have some snow on the ground but I pulled the taps because they went dry and most of my crowns are starting to bud out. The last few batches were a great dark brown color. Plus, the bees are flying so I have to turn my attention to other spring chores!
where are you in pepperell? my grand parents owned Rock Maple Farm on bancroft street until 1980. tons of sugars on the property!
41.457 x -72.907 148 elevation
2x4 wood fired evaporator with the "Hercules Blower"
hybrid pan and backflip preheater by Smoky Lake
103 taps. 44 on gravity
All sugar Maples
7" filter press
10 x 12 sugar shack
two very helpful kids
a wife that thinks I'm nuts
https://youtu.be/7MiY8qzBKk8
https://www.wunderground.com/persona...d?ID=KCTCHESH7
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