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Thread: Sap sugar content relation to freezing nights?

  1. #11
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    Regardless of the sugar content which I agree usually declines with the season, Spud better have his hip waders and swimmies on, at 300 GPH. WOW!
    Keep boiling!
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    Chris
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
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  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrTimPerkins View Post
    The key word there was mid-season. After that time, a declining trend is normal.
    But how does one determine what the mid point of the season is? My point is merely that there is no certainty in a freeze bringing the sugar content up. As a man of science I would think you would be reluctant to make statements that imply certainty...

    The overnight freeze and sugar content patterns I typically experience here have not been consistent at all with observations this year. Overall ssc has been the lowest I've ever seen. The highest was about 1.8 and I usually see well over 2. It has been down closer to 1 for about a week and doesn't seem likely that it will rise but perhaps this big freeze coming will help.
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  3. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by GeneralStark View Post
    But how does one determine what the mid point of the season is?
    We don't determine that point...the trees make the determination for us.

    My point is merely that there is no certainty in a freeze bringing the sugar content up.
    Clearly that is the case after a certain point. Typically freezes will spur conversion of starch to sugar through about mid-season (and spur uptake of water from the soil), and to some degree later on, but the overall trend after that point is downward.

    As a man of science I would think you would be reluctant to make statements that imply certainty...
    In scientific circles that is clearly true (and I am quite certain of that), but it is more difficult to speak in probabilistic terms with real people.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
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  4. #14
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    I agree sugar content really low I did not check it but did alot of boiling to get some good color, before I GOT MY SAP HYDROMETER I just watched how much I drew off oddly enough I got more syrup as the season progressed. I do have a question for Dr Tim. It did not freeze here since Wed night just went to fix a tap and picked up about 30 gallons of sap it did rain hard here Thursday night and Friday morning rather hard . Whats up? Thanks Slammer

  5. #15
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    As temp goes up, the gas bubble inside each fiber expands, creating more pressure, and a bit more sap flow.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  6. #16
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    Thanks Dr Tim I was under the impression you had to have a freeze then warm weather to create sap flow . It was rainy Thursday and in the 50s Friday it rained hard in the morning and was 68 Really had me puzzled

  7. #17
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    Yes. But it won’t run when the temps drop again UNTIL it freezes and recharges.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

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