Sugar content looks good so far

[sticky_sleeves]

I'm just a backyard enthusiast. 30 taps in the last two days. Almost all red maples with the rest sugar maples. Sap running well from the trees that are getting a lot of sun; the ones deeper in the woods not so much. Sugar content 2% - no difference between the red and sugar maples - but from what I read that is normal at the start of the season.

First year in the new sugar shack and running wood instead of outdoors using propane... I am really happy about that!

Good luck to everyone - i am sure it will freeze solid again at some point but nice to have some early productivity (who would have thought we'd have to choose between boiling and watching the Super Bowl....)

bucket.jpgsugar shack 1.jpg

[red maples]

My sugars are ALWAYs alittle sweeter even in the beginning, when I check the bucket sap (all sugars) especially in the beginning of the season its its closer to 3% mostly red on the vacuum tubing usually 1.5% to 2.25%. I like the bucket sap because it raises the sugar level when it gets mixed together. Less processing more syrup faster.