Some of the larger producer with tubing and vacuum start tapping early and was wondering if anyone is taking advantage on the way above average temperatures in WI?
Some of the larger producer with tubing and vacuum start tapping early and was wondering if anyone is taking advantage on the way above average temperatures in WI?
Maple Man 85
Anthony & Rebecca Renken
2017=200 taps
2018=4000 taps (goal) 3000 taps (actual)
2019=7000 taps (goal)
30x45 Sugar House
4x16 Leader Vortex
www.northwoodsmaplefarm.com
Using the warm weather to get my tubing up - first year with a Shurflo setup I'm down in the SE corner of the state, so it won't be that long until I can tap. I have only until 3/24 for my season (family vacation) so mid-Feb is likely for me. Who knows what the weather will do though; screwy winter here. Our current warm-up forecast stays above freezing at night, so there's definitely no rush to tap. It'll cool down again.
42.82N
2015 - Small operation. 25 buckets. One excited 5 year old and one 35 year old that feels 5 again.
2016 - One year older. New Homemade 2x4 Arch, Smoky Lake Pan and looking at 52 maples, 17 box elders and 2 walnut trees.
2017 - Shurflo 4008 hooked to 42 stingy silver maples and a few Norways. A couple buckets on sugars and Norways. 10 box elders.
2018 - ...a few more taps.
2019 - ...more taps on 3/16 gravity. This spiral is heading downward in a hurry.
2020 - 4x400 RO - RB20 (uh-oh!)
Looking at forecast, you might be able to get 5-7 days in in south Wisconsin. I was tempted to try, but then Id probably have to clean up everything before the next run in 6-10 weeks. Just doesn't seem worth all the work of clean up for a possible few days. But on the other hand, I have a new evaporator and a new sugar shack that I really want to put into action!!!
I tapped four trees today and will watch then for the next week to see what happens. Two of the four dripped right away.
16 in by 36 inch stainless flat pan on wood burning stove, with 10 six inch 1/2 inch-diameter copper drop tubes.
File cabinet arch with steam table pan new in 2017.
4, 12, 18, 24, 35, 50, 50, 48, 51, 51, 52, 52, 27, 32
Syrup making since 2004
Due to these upcoming warm spells I was wondering that if i risk it now and tap but then my holes go dry can I just re drill in a different area on the tree to get an extended season? Thanks
If air is reaching the tap hole from traditional methods of collection like buckets and bags I'd hold off till March but if you have tubing I'd tap.
Maple Man 85
Anthony & Rebecca Renken
2017=200 taps
2018=4000 taps (goal) 3000 taps (actual)
2019=7000 taps (goal)
30x45 Sugar House
4x16 Leader Vortex
www.northwoodsmaplefarm.com