Maine season in review

[Atgreene]

Ok, Mainers, how'd you make out?

Here's my totals (approximate) 840 taps, 16,100 gallons sap, 422 gallons of syrup. That's over 19 gallons of sap a tap and a half gallon of syrup a tap. 38:1 sap to syrup was my best ever. 125% of "average" production was equal to last year. Could have maybe held on for another day of 1.5% sap, but my remaining wood wasn't very dry and the buds were worrying me. In hindsight, though, I would have preferred to boil normally for another half day and dump the contents of the evap. rather than try to finish off the sweet.

Biggest lesson learned: An airtight, insulated arch front makes a huge difference. I didn't get mine completely tight, but greatly reduced the huge gap between the doors and went from a boil rate of 80 gph up to 105 gph. Wish I'd figured that out years ago! With all that extra time, I managed to visit 10 other operations so far and still hope to make it to some places north of here.

Impressive! We're at roughly 900 taps 1/2 On vac, 1/4 On 3/16 and we'll be at less than 1/2 your total syrup. And I still consider it a good year. If love to see your setup and see where I can improve. If much rather upgrade than add taps.

[abbott]

Impressive! We're at roughly 900 taps 1/2 On vac, 1/4 On 3/16 and we'll be at less than 1/2 your total syrup. And I still consider it a good year. If love to see your setup and see where I can improve. If much rather upgrade than add taps.

You're welcome to come visit, though I'm not sure I'm doing anything special. Just happy to have a productive orchard. I do tap conservatively - 1 tap for 10-20" dbh, 2 taps for 20"+. I run 25" vacuum, no leaks allowed, all check valves. Almost all sugar maples. But I'm always happy to trade ideas with another producer!

[Mitchman]

Hey Abbott!! With the 3/16 line is there a limit on the number of taps per run, just gravity? Any info helps!!

[wurmdert]

Im not Abbott but most try not to put over 25 per 3/16ths line

[Mitchman]

I read your posts Wurmdert, and trust your advice!! Thanks!!!

[BRL]

We have 2 lines right now one with 22 taps and the other with 26 with 30' of drop after each. It is insane how much sap these two lines are producing right now!