Hey Jeff, I'm not sure if sugar content actually does go up as the season progresses. But I really doubt that tapping higher on the trunk makes any difference re flow or content.
I have to admit, this is really freakishly early for me to tap so still a little hesitant. Maybe this is the mid-April blowout happening early, and by mid-March we'll all be done. But this weather is just too **** good and that little Surprise! has another 2l at least sitting there waiting for me this morning. So will check local long-term forecast first, but pretty sure all the other trees will soon be sprouting their their 3 pails apiece :-)
Been tapping since 2008.
2018 - 17 taps/7 trees...819l sap, approx 28l syrup
2019 - 18 taps/8 trees...585l sap, 28l syrup...21:1 ratio
2020 - 18 taps/8 trees...890.04l sap...gave away about 170l, 30l snafu'd....23l total for me from approx 690l
2021 - 18 taps/8 trees...395l sap, 12 l syrup
2022 - 18 taps/8 trees....7 sugars 1 red due to #2 having surgery so had the season off....582l sap, 18.5l syrup
2023 - 18 taps/8 trees...all sugars again. 807l sap, so far approx 14l syrup