Anyone tapping in PA yet?

[Sugarmaker]

Howard, Folks,
You know, now that you mentioned it. Several years ago we tapped the roadside trees and walked/plodded on about two feet of snow. Took 3 days to tap.Had to dig out a location for each container to get them down near the ground, so that when it did thaw the containers were stable.
When we went to pull the taps they were as expected, two feet higher than normal! So last Monday when I tapped it was so nice out! I even surprised myself getting the 600 taps in at a rate of about 100 per hour. As you say they are in! We will wait for the next runs now and not have to worry about when to tap. Its done!
Regards,
Chris

[Skeller001]

Well here comes the cold for maybe a week or more? We will see if we get any runs for a while. Keeping busy with maple products. Hope folks down south get some sap.
It will warm again someday!
Keep boiling!





Regards,
Chris

WOW... That is all I can say....

[Springfield Acer]

Last weekend, we were not quite ready and I was willing to be patient while nice days went by. The plan was to tap tomorrow but at 3:00 this afternoon the weather forecast here was just on the edge of making me want to jump in so we went on hold for another week. At 7:00 tonight the weather forecast showed the highs another degree higher and I saw that Sugarmaker was tapped 40 miles north of me. So I called the guys and we are tapping tomorrow. I did get the opportunity to go over to Pulaski tonight and see a friend boil on my old rig. Great memories! It's a rare thing to get to sit around someone else's shack since when one is boiling, all are boiling. Here's to great runs and high percentages!

[Sugarmaker]

Skeller,
Thanks I think!
Just they way we roll in our little operation.

Springfield Acer,
Might not be good to follow my lead. Looks like I didn't time it very well.

Folks,
I was able to participate in the tapping of a new sugarbush coming on line down the road a piece from me. Helped the Ellis family get started with 6 buckets, 4 lids and 6 spiles.







It was good!
Regards,
Chris

[iby]

Yea, I had the same reaction when I saw the pictures. WOW. You have a really nice setup Chris.

We trotted through the snow today and put in a couple hundred taps. Hundred or so left to go. Hoping we get some slow runs tomorrow to flush out the lines so we can start collecting Monday.

[Sugarmaker]

iby,
Thanks! We try. It sound like your just about ready! We have the sugarhouse inspection set for Monday morning. Hoping to get one run this next week? Accuweather is showing a good warming trend the following week We shall see.
Lots of very nice sugarhouses around here. Come up and visit us on the 16th annual Maple Taste and Tour weekend, March 14th and 15th. (10 to 4). 19 Sugarhouses will open up for the public to learn about making maple syrup. Check our association web site www.pamaple.org
Regards,
Chris

[helptheold]

Skeller,
Thanks I think!
Just they way we roll in our little operation.

Springfield Acer,
Might not be good to follow my lead. Looks like I didn't time it very well.

Folks,
I was able to participate in the tapping of a new sugarbush coming on line down the road a piece from me. Helped the Ellis family get started with 6 buckets, 4 lids and 6 spiles.







It was good!
Regards,
Chris

That is so cute!

[helptheold]

I'm just south of Pittsburgh & planning on tapping this week, was out of the country last week or I would have done it then. And get my husband to set up my RO machine!

[HowardR]

Big run today - it's 42 right now - and the run will keep going all night as it is not going to freeze tonight. This season is starting off with quite a bang!

[sbedilion]

Today was good! Did my first collection tonight...225gallon @ just over 2%! My trees are usually way under 2%. Running it through the RO now. I doubt I will boil until Wednesday tho...to busy.

Funny/not funny story. I built a friend an evaporator and 2x3 flat pan. It’s his 2nd year and he was itching to expand. I was driving I79south from work to deliver everything to my buddy and lost the pan somewhere!!! I drove all the way back to work and retraced my route. Nothing! Hopefully the car behind me didnt hit it. Luckily the pan didnt cost me anything and our laser department has 2 more pans already cut. Everyone in our shop wants to make syrup now. haha.


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