Looking to determine how many producers had low sap sugar in the 2020 season.
Sap sugar average, low seed last season
Sap sugar average, moderate seed last season
Sap sugar average, high seed last season
Sap sugar low, low seed last season
Sap sugar low, moderate seed last season
Sap sugar low, high seed last season
Sap sugar high, low seed last season
Sap sugar high, moderate seed last season
Sap sugar high, high seed last season
Looking to determine how many producers had low sap sugar in the 2020 season.
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
I voted in "Low sugar, low seed" but I am just guessing about the seed. I do not own most of my taps so I am not in those woods during the fall to see if there are many seeds. I did not notice any while I was running new lines and tapping during January and February. As for the low sugar it was a little lower then in the past but not terrible. Ran from a high of 2.2 to a low of 1.6. A lot more in the range of 1.6 to 1.9 this year compared to others.
First introduced to making maple syrup in 1969
Making syrup every year since 1979
3 x 10 oil fired
Revolution syrup and max flue pan
Almost 1300 taps total with 900 on high vacuum
Bought first Marcland drawoff in 1997, still going strong.
I voted low sugar and moderate seed, but I'm not certain how one might judge a high seed year vs. a low seed year... I do believe that red maples in my woods had a higher than average seed year last growing season but that's just an anecdotal suspicion...Not sure about sugar maples.
The reading I have done on the subject suggests that maples have high seed years every second to third year, but age of the tree and growing conditions are important factors in overall production. I've seen one study here looking at patterns in seed production but haven't seen much else.
I assume there are more studies and people tracking seed production. Is it safe to assume that this is a regional phenomenon or is it more localized. The study shared above suggests there are regional variations but to what degree? Might maples in the northern half of Vermont for instance have high seed year while trees in the southern half may not?
About 750 taps on High Vac.
2.5 x 8 Intens-O-Fire
Airtech 3 hp LR Pump
Springtech Elite 500 RO
14 x 24 Timber Frame SugarHouse
16 x 22 Sap Shed w/ 1500 gal. + 700 gal. tanks
www.littlehogbackfarm.com
I remember Lew Staats telling me he noticed high seed crop every election year. Not sure I see that here, but maybe around Lake Placid was?
Tim Whitens
Willow Creek Farm
Fulton, NY
3000 on vacuum, 3hp 3ph Busch pump, 2567 Gast
30X8 Leader oil-fired evap. w/ steamaway
Airablo 1000 RO
6 Alpacas
I voted high seed year because of the number of seeds (from large old, hard maples)I've cleaned off our new backyard patio. Since we installed it just last year, i really can't compare to previous years. But wow, they were everywhere and seedings on/in the gravel stone around the patio are sprouting all over the place already this spring.
I guess i should measure the amount of seeds i sweep up from now on. Haha
oh yea, i voted low sugar too.
Last edited by TapTapTap; 04-10-2020 at 06:34 AM.
Ken & Sherry
Williston, VT
16x34 Sugarhouse
1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/
If you've not voted yet...please do so. The more data the better.
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
Two years of high seeds in a row, equals low sugar! Atleast thats how it looks, two real dry summers seems to have stressed trees!
We had low sugar content, but I have no idea what the seed crop was like so I don't really know how I can vote.
Randy
Toad Hill Maple Farm
http://ToadHillMaple.com/
3650 Taps on Vacuum for 2010 & still expanding
56'x64' Timberframe Sugarhouse - New for 2011
3x10 Leader Vortex w/ Max Flue Pan & SteamAway
1000 gph Leader Springtech RO
777 Acres in the Adirondack Mountains
My seed count is always high judging by the amount I clean out of my roof gutters every year.
i've noticed more seedlings appearing this spring than ever before, so i'm guessing high amounts of seeds. our sugar was .5% lower on average this season.
7000 taps on vacuum, just trying to get a little better every year.