Hi Galena, For sure - we are very close. In fact, we used to live in Kemptville until about 2 years ago.

We have a real mix of trees silver, red and sugar - some huge ones must be 75 years old + Others much smaller. Tried to limit to tapping only 10-11 inches or larger. It's mixed bush with a lot of big pines mixed in - so it seems the maples have to grow really tall to get at the light. This seems to cut down on their girth overall. It takes them years and years to expand in width - but they grow higher and higher every year. My dad tapped about ten trees here over 30 years ago and he left the spigots in after accidentally burning the sap. Those trees have only grown out barely 1/2 inch around the old spigots since then. Very slow to grow.

We have a light problem here because the bush is so thick. Hard to get sun in- but I think you're right about the drainage. Most of the ones running early are right down near the creek/swampy area.

Mike