I know it's early but? It was 41 degrees down here in Rochester did anyone have any taps in to see if the sap started?
I know it's early but? It was 41 degrees down here in Rochester did anyone have any taps in to see if the sap started?
Suburban Sugar bush.
2019 2.25 Gallons of Syrup on 6 Taps
2020 12.5 Gallons of Syrup on 37 trees and 54 Taps
2021 25 Gallons on 70+ Trees and 100+ taps.
2022 42 Gallons on 60 Select tress with 120+ taps
2023 26ish gallons on 75.
2024 Bought property and have my own trees.
Red, some Sugar
Smoky Lake Dauntless with Blower and Divided Pan.
I will be experimenting with cold shock gravity filtering.
We've had perfect temps for the last 5 days now and "forcasted" good temps for the next few weeks, but it wasn't until yesterday that I saw a recently pruned tree dripping pretty good. Not sure on the temps for you (my good MN neighbors) though, as we generally heat up a few weeks before you folks. I will be tapping this weekend, it's starting time in SD!
SDdave
It's not the size of the tree...it's what inside that counts!
Not yet but I am watching and hoping hard. Starting to get things out of storage/covering wood pile/ordering misc stuff.
What is 'cold shock gravity filtering'? - if you don't mind.
Tapping in Minnesota is a lesson in patience. Watching everyone else starting up is maddening, lol.
Well, I am not quick to bottle. Often only bottling two or three times a season. So I have noticed the large amount of suspended material that eventually settles to the bottom of the containers after a few days. My theory is that this "settling" may be able to be hastened by quickly cooling off the syrup right after it comes off the evaporator. This settling process saves me a lot on filtering as I am only using gravity cone filter for now.
Suburban Sugar bush.
2019 2.25 Gallons of Syrup on 6 Taps
2020 12.5 Gallons of Syrup on 37 trees and 54 Taps
2021 25 Gallons on 70+ Trees and 100+ taps.
2022 42 Gallons on 60 Select tress with 120+ taps
2023 26ish gallons on 75.
2024 Bought property and have my own trees.
Red, some Sugar
Smoky Lake Dauntless with Blower and Divided Pan.
I will be experimenting with cold shock gravity filtering.
Forecast isn't looking so great, perhaps the week of March 7th in the cities
2020 1st season- 8 gallons of syrup
2021 2nd season- 11 gallons of syrup
2022 3rd season 6 gallons of syrup
2023 4th season- 7 gallons of syrup
What a slow spring. Anybody have their taps in? Any history or experience with such a late season?
2016 - 17 Taps, some elm's no clue. . .. .
2017 - 34 Taps, All Maples
2018 - 45 Taps, 7.4 gallons
I have not placed taps in yet. Still too cold, looking at the forecast, we may see some better weather the first week in march but still only highs in the 30s. I will be placing out test taps next week.
East Central MN