Tapping the 2015 Season

[Springfield Acer]

I tapped last year on 2/15 which is partially due to my wife owning a flower shop. I have to help deliver flowers on the 14th. The sap started running here on the 19th. It looks like I have no worries with Valentine's interfering again this year. In fact, the long range looks like the following weekend may be when I tap. I started tearing apart and cleaning in the shack Sunday afternoon but ended up in bed with a stomach flu thing by 3:30 and am off work today. Fortunately, there is plenty of time. I really need to see some steam flying.

[jrthe3]

i do not think i will be tapping anytime soon if at all this season will need a big thaw got about 4 feet of snow in woods 90% of my tubing in under snow got about a 6 foot bank at end of sugar house driveway heading down to shovel way in and shovel roof off

[3GoatHill]

Gonna don my icegrips and get out there around the 19th or 20th. I was hoping to have a tubing system this year, but it's back to the ole buckets and a couple of dump stations.

[Dennis H.]

1st boil of the season is now complete!!

I went thru 125 gals of sap in 1 hr 30 min from first fire to shut down. Now that is with concentrated sap with my RO, what a difference that makes.
That would normally be at least 5 hrs of boiling time without the RO

[KV Sappers]

Way to go Dennis. 1:30 wow. Time to add more taps at that rate. It really is amazing what your RO did for you. Great job on the RO build. By the way, the sugar shack is complete. Waiting on the electrician to install some lights. Need to get up with Swensons for the hookup yet. To cold for me to tap with the buckets.

[Dennis H.]

kvsapper, I was wondering today how things were coming together for you.

It looks like we will have at least a week now with no sap so that should help getting things complete for you.

[personandy2]

Still haven't tapped in Pittsburgh. Despite the 2-3 days earlier this week of good conditions, weather has been frigid and doesn't look any better until at least next Saturday the 21st, so that's my target!

I tapped on the 15th last year, disappointed to be losing a week but what can you do??

[unc23win]

I have been holding off as well. The forecast for here looks to warm up around Saturday the 21st as well. It might be a good goal although it doesn't look like it is going to stay warm until later on. I will most likely start tapping after work next week and spread it out over a week or two. One thing is for sure the days are getting longer so there is more opportunity for tapping after my day job. My idea is to use weekends for bigger jobs.

[Maplewalnut]

Holding out a little longer also. Not real pumped to tap this weekend in 2 ft snow, temps in single digits and 20-30 mph winds. I'm with Jared an hour more daylight and increasing everyday plays a big part in my schedule this time of year. Even at the brunt of the season my schedule is the same... I get home from work, start RO, go on leak patrol til dark and then fire up evaporator. Best part is my 13 and 15 year old are home by 3pm instead of 4:30 like last year. Thats another 3 hours of help a day. Homework gets done in sugarhouse between firing!!

[Dennis H.]

Got another 130 gals of sap today, well it was from yesterday I just picked it up this morning.
Now that the temps are dropping I will be done now for at least a week.