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Thread: Tapping 2019

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    292

    Default Tapping 2019

    With the weather being crazy this year and me being a month behind on everything I hope I can have everything ready to go in time. I started working with everything the same time I always do, but this year I had a wild idea of adding 300 more taps and adding a R/O system. I got everything plummed in on the R/O and had to change around some tanks, change the feed line to the evaporator, added a permeate tank and do some rearranging in the sugar house. I have 3 of the 4 sugar bushes ready to go with the exception of tank placement and replacing old taps. The new system all I have got done so far is get the main line wire up , tightened and trees marked. I feel a bit overwhelmed this year, I am always ready by feb 14th and usually all tapped in by the 22nd weather dependent. This year the weather has me nervous that I won't be ready but I can only do what I can do. Anybody else in the central Maine area behind the 8 ball? I keep checking the long range forecast on Accuweather and I don't see any significant warm ups and it staying like that so I am staying positive that I will be ready. So I guess I just wanted to check in and see what everyone is doing and jump start the Maine page.
    24x56 heavy timber post and beam sugar house. 2013 CDL 2.5x8 deluxe airtight raised flue 750 taps on vacuum. CDL reverse osmosis, Wes Fab 7" full bank press. Eastern Maine CDL sales rep.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Peru, Maine
    Posts
    1,044

    Default

    We have started tapping in the large operation we work for, mainly due to time constraints and the fact that there is vacuum there. For our own operation, we will hold off until the end of month. We caught the end of February run last year then had a 3 week freeze. I’m not sure if that was worth it or not. The longer March days and higher sun angle make March into April a lot better for sugaring than February where we are. We do new taps every year but being on gravity our window is considerably less than vacuum.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Berwick, ME
    Posts
    64

    Thumbs up Time to tap in southern Maine

    Hi All,

    I'm down in very southern Maine about 15 miles from the coast. I'm tapping tomorrow afternoon when the trees have warmed up a bit. I've got about 100 on vacuum, so I'll get those done before the snow moves in Tuesday night. The ground is almost bare right now, so good time to walk the lines. I'll most likely hold off on the buckets until the 1st week of March. Good luck everyone!
    2015 - 40 buckets w/ drop lines
    275 oil tank evaporator
    2x4 flat pan
    made 5 gallons!
    2016 - 90 buckets
    same evaporator and pan
    hoping to make 12 gallons
    2017 - 85 taps on vacuum w/lunchbox
    50 buckets
    Smoky Lake 2X4 drop flue pan

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    East Dixfield, Maine
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Good for all you guys with low snow totals. I still have lots of buried lines up here at 1300 feet in Central Maine. More snow coming tomorrow. Another foot? There is about five feet of snow in my Sugar bush as I write. I tapped early last winter and ended up with solidly frozen blocks of ice in my storage containers that lasted for weeks. Very frustrating to see all that sap sitting there with no way to access it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Mount Vernon Maine
    Posts
    217

    Default

    I think I'll tap Thursday morning after the snow storm. I've only got 24 to do this year, so more than last year (15) but still not too many. The past few years i have tapped around that time and it seems to work out fine. A lot of my trees are in a south or southeast facing slope so they get some solar gain early. Hopefully I'll be on the front end of an early run even if it cools off for a few days next week. Good luck to all!

    Update 2/14: I got half in this afternoon. Nothing was running, but all were dripping and a few a somewhat aggressively. I'll get the rest in over the next few days and sit back and wait.
    Last edited by Mvhomesteader; 02-14-2019 at 07:17 PM.
    Two 2x4 concrete block arches with three steam trays each
    Tapping in Mount Vernon since 2016, 30 to 70 taps, 5/16" tube to 1.5 to 3.5 gallon buckets, some trees on collective gravity tubing to 5 gallon buckets.

    Mostly sugar maples, a few reds on 200 year old homestead

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Farmington Maine area 44.6* N
    Posts
    62

    Default

    All is quiet on the front here. After last years long and drawn out season starting mid Feb. looking forward to
    a later start and shorter season. No warm up in sight for the 10 day temp outlook. Relaxed. Snow is 3'deep.
    Last edited by woodsy; 02-18-2019 at 08:07 AM.
    Backyard Sugarin' since 1991
    Concrete block wood burner
    24 taps on gallon jugs
    2' x 2' x 6" SS pan
    5 gal. SS steamer pan for preheating
    89 Arctic Cat Panther sap hauler

    Making a few gallons syrup most years.
    Maple Baked Beans
    Maple Oat Sourdough Bread
    Maple Wine

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Eagle lake Maine
    Posts
    280

    Default

    I'm starting tapping today. It was -21 degrees this morning, so we'll wait until 10:00 or so to get started. There's at least 3' of snowpack, so it's going to be a challenge again this year.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Carmel, Maine
    Posts
    59

    Default

    I'm planning for the first week in March, unless there is some significant warm up.
    2019 99 taps on buckets (95 red & 4 sugar)
    W.F. Mason 2x4 XL

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Peru, Maine
    Posts
    1,044

    Default

    Spent the day in the woods today changing drops and putting new taps on. Have 1/2 of our 375 taps ready to tap. One more day in the woods next weekend then hopefully tap March 3rd or sometime that week. Not gonna be a quick start for us on gravity.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Oxford, Maine
    Posts
    193

    Default

    I’ve been placing my buckets out for drop lines. Plan is to tap this weekend

    2020: 317 taps, 2021: 360, 2022: 350 2023: 300, 2024: 230 (getting smarter)
    Drop lines and hanging buckets, all hand lugged
    2 X 6 raised flue evaporator
    7in. Filter press
    17 HP Kubota tractor
    12 X 16' sugar shack
    Sugar and red maples

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