Hey Mike, please keep us posted on your results...based on the weather (thanks for the link), i'm going to target the 21st or 22nd to tap. I have been debating when, but this was a good clear picture for me in Oxford. Man, i can't wait to start this season. I'm targeting 55-70 taps, not quite sure yet, still trying to gather a few more trees.
After looking at the 15 day forecast I think I am going to tap this Sunday after I finish setting up the cooker. It is hard looking out the window today at work knowing I could be getting that much closer to my first boil with my new Smokey Lake Hybrid pan.
First steam of this season here
2017 001.jpg Got my other 75 tapped this AM, Went around after lunch & picked up almost 90 gal. from yesterdays trees. Got about half of it boiled off, i'll finish the rest in the morning, and what else comes too. Checked a bunch for sugar, the lowest was 2%, best was 3, most at 2.5 - I guess my age is starting to show, back hurts. 2017 002.jpg
I still have 100 taps and tubing to put up on Saturday. I think I'll start early and perhaps set taps Saturday afternoon. Might hold off on buckets for a week or two.
Didn't want to tap for another 10 days but what can you do? Make hay when the sun shines.....
1980 - 6 taps, stone fire pit, drain pan evaporator, 1 pint of syrup
2016 - 55 taps on 3/16 and gravity, new sugar shack, 2x3 Mason XL, 16 gallons of syrup
2017 - 170 taps on 3/16, 2x4 Mason XL, NextGen RO. 50 gallons of syrup
2018 - 250+ taps on gravity and buckets, 2x5 Smokey Lake arch and Beaverland pan.
2019 - 250+ taps on gravity. A few buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
2020 - 300+ taps on gravity. 50 gallons of syrup.
2021 - 280 taps on gravity and 40 buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
MIKEEEEEEE!!!!! you are not helping my anxiousness! hhahahaahhaahahahah....doing last minute stuff this weekend, then will see where i am, trying to hold off till the 22nd. temps just don't mae sense to me until at least then, but 90Gallons, is 90 gallons...and you will probably do well again throughout this weekend. Where about in Kent are ya? want a visitor? PM or text me.
Mikey don't text Scott - 130 Kent Cornwall Rd - Thats 2 miles north of Kent, right on Rt 7. I('ll be around there all afternoon tomorrow, probably finish up on Sat. Supposed to be in the teens Fri night, but i'll have a bunch from tomorrows run.
Mike, I'm 6.2 miles north of you on Rt.7 too. 104 Kent Rd. S. I'm on the west side down by the river.
1980 - 6 taps, stone fire pit, drain pan evaporator, 1 pint of syrup
2016 - 55 taps on 3/16 and gravity, new sugar shack, 2x3 Mason XL, 16 gallons of syrup
2017 - 170 taps on 3/16, 2x4 Mason XL, NextGen RO. 50 gallons of syrup
2018 - 250+ taps on gravity and buckets, 2x5 Smokey Lake arch and Beaverland pan.
2019 - 250+ taps on gravity. A few buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
2020 - 300+ taps on gravity. 50 gallons of syrup.
2021 - 280 taps on gravity and 40 buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
You must be near Gun Brook Farm?
So would it be a bad thing to tap now and then have a temps get cold again for few weeks?? Wondering if there's no harm in tapping early...
Here's a good read for ya.Originally Posted by CTsap
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/tapping.pdf
12 taps for 2009.
30+ for 2010.
30+ for 2011.
2012- Still holding around 30+ with no help in sight.
2013-Still a loner but what a Fantastic yielding year
2014- Forever a loner
2017-Still here, after trying to kick the habit.
Down to 15-20 taps with the intent to save my marriage.
Sap Haulers- Kids NADA, I tried but I'm on my own.
Buckets and Sap Saks, 4 steam pans, Block Evaporator, and single burner propane for finishing.
http://s778.photobucket.com/home/Valleyman_bucket
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