Not surprising. https://mapleresearch.org/pub/mn1116weather-2/
Not surprising. https://mapleresearch.org/pub/mn1116weather-2/
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
When I worked for the Railroad, one of my many hats i wore, was I managed the Weather Provider Contracts. Many of the websites that forecast weather had computer generated weather forecasts. We contracted a US Weather Company called WeatherData and they had meteorologists that gave us personalized forecasts. They were far superior to the computer generated forecasts and we made a number of business decisions based on them. I felt they were excellent.
In 2006 they were purchased by Accuweather. They still provided the same service at least until I retired in 2010. I wish I still had a connection with them. I would highly trust them to predict when to tap.
2022 - 5 pan block arch - 109 taps, 73 on 3/16 lines, 36 on drops into 5 gallon pails.
930 gallons boiled, 109 L (28.8 gals) of delicious syrup made.
DYI Vacuum Filter
2023 - 170 taps, mostly on lines, 1153 gallons boiled, 130 L (34.34 gals) of delicious syrup made, on a 2x4 divided pan and base stack, 8” pipe, on a block arch that boiled at a rate of 13 gallons per hour.
2024 - made 48 L, December to March, primarily over two fire bowls.
I'm on the west side of the state tapping near Grand Rapids. It's been an interesting winter to say the least. We had a decent growing season and good healthy canopies, so I am hopeful if we can generate some good freeze thaw cycles in February we will still sneak out a decent season. I've spent many years growing up in the sugar bush, but this one is unique to my lifetime. The most recent long term forecast I read shows we will still tap around the typical middle to latter half of February. How are you all feeling?
Hopefully many of us are holding hope and we have a great season!
I will be ready to go in 2 weeks. Some forecast models saying cool thru March. I think we are going to have to be ready to tap at any time from now on.
5th generation
2 1/2 Buckets
815 gravity
2 new flat pans. Back pan now has 16 V's
Rebuilt the block arch 3x12
Homemade pre-heater,steamhood
MES Dolly RO
I will continue to monitor the 2 long term forecast on the weather channels and at this point plan accordingly. My hope is to tap the weekend of February 11th. Just have to wait and see.
2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
made 17 gal. syrup
2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
2021 - Didn't work out
2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start
Just saw the monthly temperature outlook for February on weather.com. They are predicting a slightly cooler February. Will that happen? We shall see.
Daniel & Eleanor Bliese
Heritage Woods, LLC
SW Michigan
Smoky Lake 2x4 raised flue on Corsair arch
The RO Bucket 80gph Single Post
100 taps on buckets
Anyone tapping this weekend? I don't have many trees but weather in SE MI looks promising.
I am going to sanitize my lines this weekend. Will tap late this next week and next weekend.
2013 25 taps 2.5 gallons
2014 60 taps 9.5 gallons
2015 12 x 16 sugar shack 200 taps 1500' 5/16 lines gravity. Home made arch, 2 x 3 pan and 18" x 24" steam pan.
2016 2 x 5 Smokey Lake hybrid pan. Custom steam hood and float box. Number of taps yet to be determined.
2017 Made 27 gallons. Added 60 taps on 3/16 lines.
2018 Adding more 3/16 lines. Made 55 gallons
2019 Added 4 totes for sap storage. Big shack upgrades.
Not liking this either.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tmnn66krAAhnqHe46
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/
Would love to see what temps are going to be the middle of Feb. Small warm up coming next week.
5th generation
2 1/2 Buckets
815 gravity
2 new flat pans. Back pan now has 16 V's
Rebuilt the block arch 3x12
Homemade pre-heater,steamhood
MES Dolly RO