So when is everyone going to start tapping trees?
So when is everyone going to start tapping trees?
Semper Fi,
BWC
2016 (1st year) 16 taps; 2 gallons of Amber syrup.
2017; oil tank evaporator 38 taps. 3.75 gallons of liquid gold
2018: 46 taps, 6.75 gallons of syrup. Best season
I will judge by the weather. Today we will be doing repairs and making improvements in the bush. On Saturday I have a crew coming to help make repairs and change drops. It will be at least 2-3 weeks before I'm ready to tap. On Jan 4-5 I will be at the NYS Maple Conference in Syracuse, NY.
In Va you will need to tap earlier than we do in central NY.
Sometimes you will finish collecting before we have our first good sap flow.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
Last year I tapped January 15th. Temps after Jan 3rd are looking good here and I may tap the weekend of the 5th.
Semper Fi,
BWC
2016 (1st year) 16 taps; 2 gallons of Amber syrup.
2017; oil tank evaporator 38 taps. 3.75 gallons of liquid gold
2018: 46 taps, 6.75 gallons of syrup. Best season
mid February. regardless of weather. I don't play on the emotions of a run here and there. many in ohio have tapped early the past few years only to end with lower production or the trees just shut off completely. I do nearly 1/2 gallon syrup per tap each year by sticking to the basics
Fred Ahrens
330-206-1606
Richards Ohio Maple Equipment
Ohio CDL sales rep
LaPierre Dealer
H&M maple fabricator Dealer
Service Tech/repair for all brands and electronics
don't take life too serious, nobody gets out alive anyways!
80 % of taps in and ready for the coming weeks of prime weather. 65 taps so far and hope to get the rest in before the snow arrives this weekend. Eager to try my RO bucket and new preheater pan to reduce cooking time. Looking forward to a great season in central VA..
Semper Fi,
BWC
2016 (1st year) 16 taps; 2 gallons of Amber syrup.
2017; oil tank evaporator 38 taps. 3.75 gallons of liquid gold
2018: 46 taps, 6.75 gallons of syrup. Best season
The weather man needs to be a little more accurate, they were calling for 22 on the 2 nd of January so I'm tapped already. wanted to drip a little yesterday, but looks better for the end of the month.
Started tapping 12/28. Pretty good run through 1/1. Looks like things will thaw again toward the end of this week.
Just finished running the last of the new 3/16" lines.
How's your season so far.
I tapped Feb 8, but didn't have enough sap to gather til the 14th. Got 240 gal of sap from 94 taps on the 14th-16th. I like to tap about the first of February, but temps here in the Shenandoah Valley haven't wanted to give a consistent freeze/thaw cycle. This week is looking better.
The Evolution
2015 - 2x4 flat pan on block arch, 2016 added dividers for continuous flow
2017 - 2x6 Sunrise Pan (4' Flue, 2' Syrup) on homemade arch with AUF, 2018 added AOF
2019 - Sunrise water jacketed bottler
I believe she's about over down here. Sounds like your doing good Tater. Been too warm on us.