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Thread: 2018 What is everyone doing in PA?

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Albion PA
    Posts
    5,099

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    I feel about like Jared. Have to start some time.
    At least one other sugarhouse in the area was boiling last night. Anothe sugarmaker was going to tap a portion of his sugarbush today too.
    We seem to be getting a little earlier, at least the last few years. I poked 200 holes today and hope to have the remaining 400 in by tomorrow afternoon. Hope to get a run this weekend. Our Maple association meeting is Saturday. May have to gather after the meeting.
    Still a bunch of little things to do.
    My wood supply is a little short this year. I have more wood its just not under cover and that just doesnt burn well.
    Regards,
    Chris
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
    625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
    3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
    12" SIRO Filter Press.
    2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
    One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
    Too many Cub Cadets
    Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
    1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck

    www.mapleandhoney.com

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Elliottsburg, PA
    Posts
    2,222

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    Sticknstring welcome to the Trader.
    It is also good to see another person making maple syrup in the area. What part of Cumberland county are you in. I am just up over the mtn from Carlisle just outside of Landisburg.

    Warning, you will find out quickly that this can be a very addictive hobby.

    I can not really add anymore insight into your questions that others have not already answered nicely. Just try and keep it fun.
    As for the township trees why not ask? You may be surprised of the answer that you get.
    1st Generation Hobby Maple Producer, you got to start somewhere.
    222 Taps, all on Vacuum! No more buckets.
    Lapierre 2'x5' raised flue w/Hood and Preheater
    Surge SP11, Lapierre Hobby Releaser
    Modified 5" Filter Press made by Daryl with a Gear Pump
    Homemade 2 membrane RO
    Kabota RTV Sap Hauler

    Hardy's Maple Syrup on Facebook

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Newville, PA
    Posts
    51

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    Hello Dennis,

    I don't know how far into this thing we will get, but I am excited to give it heck! My girls are itching for our taps to arrive and as I tell them to be patient, I am probably itching more inside, ha. I am right over the mountain from you not too far, I live on 233 just south of Colonel Denning a few minutes. I was just through Landisburg Saturday night to head to Perry County Archers to go to a bow shoot. I agree, it's pretty cool to know that there are people in the area doing off the beaten path things like making syrup!

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Newville, PA
    Posts
    51

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    Anybody ever tap black walnut trees? I read a bout it a little today, was hoping for some first hand exoerience on how it turns out. I have access to a bunch of them, very close to home.

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Albion PA
    Posts
    5,099

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    There are some folks doing walnut syrup. I have enough problems with maple! Do a search you might find some info. I know it can be pricey when done. I have never tasted any of it. Folks do Birch syrup also.
    Good luck.
    Regards,
    Chris
    Last edited by Sugarmaker; 02-02-2018 at 11:38 AM.
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
    625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
    3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
    12" SIRO Filter Press.
    2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
    One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
    Too many Cub Cadets
    Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
    1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck

    www.mapleandhoney.com

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Meadville, PA
    Posts
    8

    Default

    So far this year, I'm just cleaning the dust off the equipment and getting all the buckets, spouts and lids washed. I was given two 275 gallon food grade tanks in cages, so those got thoroughly cleaned as well. ( I know there has to be a shorter name for those things: somebody tell me for goodness sake) Temps have been above freezing here, hit and miss, but now it's below freezing and going to stay there for the majority of the next ten - fifteen days. I'm shooting for 130 taps this year - all buckets at this point, so I'm just getting gear cleaned up, equipment all in order, cutting firewood & trying to be patient...... I'm in maple mode - the weather is not. Grumble....
    Oh yeah, had heard of birch and hickory syrup, but never walnut. Cool to know
    Last edited by Kippster; 01-29-2018 at 08:02 PM.
    1999 30 taps, mom's stove, 2 gallons of something like syrup
    2000-02 30 taps, helped friends, more stove boiling, got maple addicted
    2003-06 50 buckets, gathered with my horses, boiled on shares, more stove boiling, 2nd place amateur syrup @ county fair
    2007-16 Worked with buddy that makes lots of syrup, got educated
    2017 100 buckets, 2x6 homebuilt evaporator, propane finisher. 20 gallons
    2018 115 buckets, new wood/sap wagon, two cage totes

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Green Lane, PA
    Posts
    1

    Default

    Anyone around SE PA? The warm weather had me exited and we tapped a few trees on Sunday. Sap was flowing nice at first, but now it seams like winter came back and everything's at a stand still.
    This will be our fourth year at it, we'll probably have about a dozen or so trees tapped. This is the earliest we've ever tapped, so I've never experienced holes drying up from starting the season too early. I've read that bacteria build up in the tap hole eventually and block the flow, does anyone know if it's possible to pull the tap and clean out the hole by re-drilling if this happens? Or perhaps it's more of a microscopic type of blockage.

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Albion PA
    Posts
    5,099

    Default

    oldtree,
    You should have approximately 6 weeks after you tap. Your mileage may vary! Re tapping may get you a few more days but generally is not worth the effort BTDT.
    Your temps should be better than we are getting in the north west part of the state. Good luck.
    Regards,
    Chris
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
    625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
    3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
    12" SIRO Filter Press.
    2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
    One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
    Too many Cub Cadets
    Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
    1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck

    www.mapleandhoney.com

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Tioga County, PA
    Posts
    10

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    I tapped a few trees last Sunday with the kids, and it ran well for a few hours, and again on Monday. I'll probably go out this weekend and get the evaporator ready, and hope for warm weather in the coming weeks. This coming week doesn't look so good.

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Albion PA
    Posts
    5,099

    Default

    Built tank lifter for draining and cleaning about $100 plus fab time:





    Regards,
    Chris
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
    625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
    3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
    12" SIRO Filter Press.
    2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
    One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
    Too many Cub Cadets
    Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
    1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck

    www.mapleandhoney.com

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