Buds on sugars? Not cool, I only tap about 20 sugars and those buds are still small, the reds have swollen some, and I've seen a few silvers around that are in full bloom.
Buds on sugars? Not cool, I only tap about 20 sugars and those buds are still small, the reds have swollen some, and I've seen a few silvers around that are in full bloom.
Well, they are not open, but very very swollen and soft. Showing a little green too. That is from my big yard tree that I can reach the branches on.
Noel Good
1998 to 2009: 15 taps on buckets, scavenged fire pit and pans
2010: New 2x4 SS flat pan w/preheater
2015: New to me Lapierre 18x60 raised flue, new shack, new everything!! 59 taps 23.75 gallons
2016: 85 taps 19 gallons
2017: Purchased 2.5 acres and tubed half with 3/16. 145 taps total 49.25 gallons
2018: 200 taps (162 on 3/16ths 38 on buckets) New NextGen RO 63 gallons
2019: 210 taps 73.5 gallons
2023: 210 taps 89.75 gallons
www.wnybass.com
Dang
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Our Sugars and Black maples still have small and tight buds, no sign of swelling as of yesterday. Our silvers have budded, like others have noted too.
Question: Has anybody ever made straight up dark, no off flavors, BUT with nearly zero maple flavor? Happened for the first time ever here. Don't know what to make of it really. I will jug it up today, and mark each with a small symbol on the bottom and in the log book.
I tap a few reds and they are done for the season for me. They might still be okay but I'm not risking it. Many of the sugars are still tight but a couple have swelling buds and one is definitely budding. I tried to take a picture but the camera on my phone wouldn't focus on it.
I am over 1100 gallons of sap this season which is about 65% crop if you figure 10 gallons per tap on gravity. I think I will get a good run next week but after that the forecast is not showing any freezes and there's more weather in the mid 50s.
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Smoky Lake 2x6 fuel-oil fired, raised flue, hoods, SSR, concentric exhaust
Home-built auto draw off
Home-built RO - double XLE 4040, PLC controlled
8x10 Sugar Shed
200 taps on tubing with Shurflo vacuum with solar
https://www.facebook.com/flowercitymaplesyrup/
Wow! I used to live in Western NY, and the trees didn't bud until at least the beginning of April. What has happened? I used to live in Alfred, NY, (which is higher up in elevation) and in Syracuse. Is this normal?
Last edited by Revi; 03-01-2017 at 08:12 AM.
Smoky Lake 2x6 fuel-oil fired, raised flue, hoods, SSR, concentric exhaust
Home-built auto draw off
Home-built RO - double XLE 4040, PLC controlled
8x10 Sugar Shed
200 taps on tubing with Shurflo vacuum with solar
https://www.facebook.com/flowercitymaplesyrup/
Weather extremes are the new normal and that's not the only change in Upstate NY. We are at 1,600 ft elevation on the Allegheny Plateau and have pulled 2 ticks off us this year, 1 biting, while collecting sap in February with snow on the ground!
Probably a good idea since you have the option. I have mostly reds, so I can't do that, but in the last 3 seasons they have never gotten "buddy" -- they always just dry up first. The sugars keep going and might get buddy, but I don't have enough of them to make it worth continuing when the reds are done, so I pull all the taps at the same time.
Of course, my operation is pretty small, so maybe I'm just getting lucky with the few trees that I have.
Last edited by Marlin; 03-01-2017 at 09:52 AM.
2014 - 8 taps (2 sugars & 6 reds), milk jugs, hotel pan, propane, DIY RO, 85 gal sap --> 2 gal syrup
2015 - 10 taps (1 sugar & 9 reds), jugs, hotel pan, propane, DIY RO, 125 gal sap --> 3 gal syrup
2016 - 14 taps (2 sugars & 12 reds), jugs, hotel pan, propane, upgraded DIY RO, 125 gal sap --> 2.5 gal syrup
2017 - 12 taps (2 sugars & 10 reds), jugs, hotel pan, upgraded propane, DIY RO, 150 gal --> 2.75 gal syrup
2018 - so far 9 taps...
Who has the tank on route 98 in Attica, near the cemetery? My brother said it was flowing over this morning. Hopefully someone pumped it before I posted this.