I’m holding off a bit hoping for a cold spell; but may end up regretting it. I’m heading out this weekend to inventory and start replacing drops.
I’m holding off a bit hoping for a cold spell; but may end up regretting it. I’m heading out this weekend to inventory and start replacing drops.
2014 - 30 taps
2015 - 50 taps
2016 - 140 taps
2017 - 115 taps - 85 taps on 3/16, 30 buckets
2018 - 150 taps, all 3/16
Smokey Lake 2x3
Homemade 2x XLE-4040 RO Unit
Kubota L3940 - big sap hauler
Polaris Sportsman 570 SP - little sap hauler
I'm 1:20 remote from sugarbush, so I let run awhile between boils, and time is at a premium, so I try to oversize things
Last year I came across some examples of using Growing Degree Days to estimate the end of syrup season. (Not helpful for estimating the beginning). I'm no scientist, so what you see is what you get, but as far as when you can expect trees to bud there is some information that may be helpful here: https://primalwoods.com/revisiting-t...g-degree-days/ and in the links he includes in the blog.
Good Luck
Doug
Maple Creations
Coatesville, IN
350 taps on 5/16 tubing & 4 Lunchbox pumps
MemProTec Concentrator 300 RO
Wood-fired 30"x8' D&G Model 500 raised-flue w/Steam hood & blower
Smoky Lake finisher, D&G filter press,
http://www.facebook.com/maplecreations
Finished replacing taps today in the rain. Added a few, up to 155. May add another run, we’ll see.
2014 - 30 taps
2015 - 50 taps
2016 - 140 taps
2017 - 115 taps - 85 taps on 3/16, 30 buckets
2018 - 150 taps, all 3/16
Smokey Lake 2x3
Homemade 2x XLE-4040 RO Unit
Kubota L3940 - big sap hauler
Polaris Sportsman 570 SP - little sap hauler
I'm 1:20 remote from sugarbush, so I let run awhile between boils, and time is at a premium, so I try to oversize things
We've got 80 on 3/16" and another 20 on buckets. Ro'ed approx 300 gallons this weekend, boiled approx 80 gallons of concentrate.l Great way to try out our homemade RO. looking chilly for the next few days.
RO’ed another 130 gallons of sap Thursday night. Headed back to boil shortly.
Looks like next Saturday I'll start setting taps. Might a few good days if the sun comes out.
Tapped 109 today, about 2/3 of my current total; but I'm hoping to add a few. It was barely moving in a few trees, but not much.
2014 - 30 taps
2015 - 50 taps
2016 - 140 taps
2017 - 115 taps - 85 taps on 3/16, 30 buckets
2018 - 150 taps, all 3/16
Smokey Lake 2x3
Homemade 2x XLE-4040 RO Unit
Kubota L3940 - big sap hauler
Polaris Sportsman 570 SP - little sap hauler
I'm 1:20 remote from sugarbush, so I let run awhile between boils, and time is at a premium, so I try to oversize things
Tapped another 81 today putting me at 190. I think I’ll put in another run next weekend to get to 200. Problem now is it’s too warm. I’m worried sap will be bad by next weekend. It was running pretty good today (2 of the runs had 29” of vacuum). All of mine are on 3/16, but I’m experimenting with a 5/16” trunk line to bring 5 barrels together at one spot. I don’t have all the pieces to tie the barrels together yet, so right now the main part of the trunk is laid, but only to one barrel and the rest still individual barrels.
2014 - 30 taps
2015 - 50 taps
2016 - 140 taps
2017 - 115 taps - 85 taps on 3/16, 30 buckets
2018 - 150 taps, all 3/16
Smokey Lake 2x3
Homemade 2x XLE-4040 RO Unit
Kubota L3940 - big sap hauler
Polaris Sportsman 570 SP - little sap hauler
I'm 1:20 remote from sugarbush, so I let run awhile between boils, and time is at a premium, so I try to oversize things
Finished off the sweet from our previous boils today, made almost 7 gallons of syrup. Lines and buckets running well, currently RO’ ing another 100 gallons of sap for tomorrow’s boil.
Collected another 200 gallons since Monday night, all RO'ed and boiled down to almost 5 gallons of near syrup. Will add that to the near syrup from Monday's boil, and finish off this weekend. Closing in on 800 gallons of sap thus far for the season. Still dripping tonight, but slow. Need some colder weather to recharge the trees.