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Thread: tapped on the east slope of the Berks - 3/16 success on low slope

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Granville, MA
    Posts
    88

    Default tapped on the east slope of the Berks - 3/16 success on low slope

    Tapped on Valentine's Day. 27 buckets, 14 taps on a 3/16 line with about
    5% slope over 500 foot run after lowest tree. Running great after under
    performing last year. Read pros and cons about low slope but decided to
    give it another shot. Made a few adjustments this year. 1) in spite of
    tales about 3/16 tolerating slight up hill sections, I removed the one
    short up hill section, 2) went from 21 taps last year to 14 this year, 3)
    started lowest tree at a slightly higher tree, and 4) moved the gathering
    point 100 foot closer so that the lowest and "flat" section of the 3/16
    run is removed. Lowered the number of taps and removed the flat to address
    possibility of back pressure/flow which I read about. Getting great results
    so far! Not sure which if any of these adjustments has contributed. Had 2
    great runs overall this year so far and made 1.5 gallons in my 2x3 pan in 2
    boils. Sitting on 70 gallons of sap today. Wish all my Western MA towns a good season.
    50 taps ave. half on buckets half on 3/16
    2x3 pan on fire brick / fieldstone arch
    started 2012

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    chester, ma
    Posts
    905

    Default

    Well done on figuring out the kinks (so to speak) in your tubing! So long as Mother Nature keeps cooperating, sounds like you should have a great season.
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Savoy, MA
    Posts
    490

    Default

    I tapped my trees on Wednesday in Savoy. I'm at 2,000 ft. elevation and am always a few weeks behind everybody else. But the sap was flowing nicely. Think I'll have enough sap to boil for the first time tomorrow.
    16x24 Timber Frame Sugar House
    Mason 2x4 Evaporator
    90 trees on buckets

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