2020 Tapping Season

[pyro]

My buckets have been collecting from the past 2 weeks. I think I really pushed it since I wasn't able to boil last weekend. I know there was ice in the buckets last weekend, so it was good up to that point. The past week had some warm days that were questionable. The sap is pretty cloudy, has a very slight smell. It wasn't ropey and tasted fine. So we'll see how this batch comes out. Boiled about 100 gallons today which is my limit.

[aviboy97]

Had decent flow this week, but last two days were virtually dry on the majority of my trees. I’m boiling today, but it’s not as much as I was hoping to boil.

With temps not getting below freezing for the next 15 days, I can’t see this season lasting much longer. I’d assume I’m about done for the year. Whatta shame. Was hoping to run towards the end of March, but winter was just too warm.

[tommythetapper]

Amen, brother.

This season has got to be the worst ever in CT. Too many consecutive days that did not go below freezing at night.

Already pulled my taps as everything is virtually dried up.

Now I'm going to have to dry out as this season has driven me to the drink!


2020: 50 taps, Leader Half-pint.

[bryankloos]

I'm still flowing today, and picked up about 200 gallons in the past 3 days on my 70 taps.
That said, its looking pretty **** close to over...

I'll keep the taps in for another week or so but not expecting much.

Next weekend may get close to freezing here, but the forecast as of now is just flirting with 32.

Time will tell, but as the grass is starting to green up it may be time to start getting all the yard gear out and ready...

[Woodsrover]

Just as well I guess. Sunny trees look like they're starting to bud and syrup was getting dark anyway. With the weather coming at us I'm not in the mood to struggle keeping sap cold.

Boiled everything I had left and ended up with close to 13 gallons for the weekend. Dark. Sap ran pretty good today but the richest I measured was 1%. Some was 3/4% maybe. I used it to push out what I had ROed yesterday and left the pan rich to sit and ferment for a few weeks.

Gives me 40 gallons for the year. More than last year so I can't complain.

Now comes the pulling of the taps, the washing of the tanks!

[bryankloos]

Woodsrover,

What happens when the pan sits and ferments? Is there any advantage to this, versus dumping and rinsing with some permeate?

Thanks,

Bryan

[Woodsrover]

Woodsrover,

What happens when the pan sits and ferments?

Bryan

I read about it here a year or two ago....When it gets all ropey and goopy it seems to help get the scale off the pan. I think I let mine set for close to a month last year and it took a lot of the gunk off the pans.

[Agent914]

I heard the peepers Saturday night and got more moths in the bucket so yesterday I pulled my taps and finishing off the rest of sap having made several gallons gallons for family and friends. Started cleaning and storage last night. my plan is to be more proactive in making the upgrades to my syruping process since things are still fresh in my mind and on the tip on my tongue now versus the start of 2021 .... but the honey due list in now starting to get in my attention.... yes dear I heard you the 1st time!

[Mike Van]

I'm done too - The last of my buckets will be down tomorrow morning, many are done anyway, the hot day yesterday took all the joy out of it. Buckets full of flies, cloudy sap, etc. It was a record year for me, boiled off just over 2400 gal/sap.

[Sugar Bear]

Pulled taps today. Might be able to catch a small run next weekend but it is just too warm.

I liked this year better then last year with the exception of the 1/2 gallon of syrup that jumped out of the finish pan on me. I am also glad I resisted temptation to tap early.

Here are my numbers for last year and this year.

2019 Totals: 508 gallons of sap, 7 boils, 11.4 gallons of syrup. Spouts in on Feb 1 - Spouts out on March 25

2020 Totals: 448 gallons of sap, 4 boils, 10.5 gallons of syrup. Spouts in on Feb 16 - Spouts out on March 10