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Thread: 2023 Tapping season in CT???

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    247

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    119 Taps in today. I wish there was a little more sap at the drill-holes, but the ground is still rock solid and the trees are probably a bit tight after yesterdays cold. Many Many branches down from the winds.

    I've got the Sap Sucker pulling at about 10psi with a little drip here and there, all dumped to ground to flush the lines.

    Now I need to clean up and prep the RO and then the Mason. Fun times ahead!

    Hope you are all well.

    Bryan
    2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO.
    2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons.
    2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons.
    2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 22 gallons.
    2020 - 70ish taps on Shurflo 4008. Mason 2x4 XL. DIY R.O. ~24 gallons.
    ______________________________________________
    Trout Brook Valley
    Weston, CT

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    159

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    So much for being all tapped at the end of the weekend. I did tap about 30 taps, on tubing. I have been testing the sap sugar content of each tree as I tap it. If I don’t do it now, I wont be able to tell the difference, as the ones on tubing all go into one collection bin. If I hadn’t taken the time to test each individual tree (w a refractometer) I probably could have gotten all the tubing ones tapped, but as the sun went down, the sap stopped running. <sigh> Maybe tomorrow.
    2017 - 20ish taps on buckets, boiling outside in two baking pans
    2018 - 70+ taps, 14-buckets, 50+ on tubing, homemade arch from oil tank in my barn, 17 gal syrup
    2019 - same set up, 20 gal syrup
    2020 - less taps, short season, but RO kit was fantastic! 6 gal syrup and a maple cat!
    2021/22/23 - expanded into the neighbors yards! 50 taps on buckets and 40 taps on tubing

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Cornwall, CT
    Posts
    356

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    I pumped 350 gallons to the sugar shack before the big freeze and boiled it yesterday. Drew off 4+ gallons and left a thick pan. The first boil last weekend was golden and the first couple draws yesterday was golden left in the pan, but it quickly turned amber from what I pumped last Thursday.

    Should run pretty hard this week and I can see us boiling all next weekend starting Friday night. I would love to have 1200 gallons by Friday. Guess we'll see!

    I have a funny feeling about this year. I can see the season being over earlier than later.....
    1980 - 6 taps, stone fire pit, drain pan evaporator, 1 pint of syrup
    2016 - 55 taps on 3/16 and gravity, new sugar shack, 2x3 Mason XL, 16 gallons of syrup
    2017 - 170 taps on 3/16, 2x4 Mason XL, NextGen RO. 50 gallons of syrup
    2018 - 250+ taps on gravity and buckets, 2x5 Smokey Lake arch and Beaverland pan.
    2019 - 250+ taps on gravity. A few buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
    2020 - 300+ taps on gravity. 50 gallons of syrup.
    2021 - 280 taps on gravity and 40 buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    247

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    After tracking down a split spout, vacuum jumped up to 18psi and this evening I had 50 gallons in the IBC.
    Temps are still above freezing and I’m guessing I’ll have another 50 by the morning. I love when the system works!

    I’ll be prepping the RO Wednesday in anticipation of first boils this weekend.


    Off to the races.
    2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO.
    2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons.
    2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons.
    2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 22 gallons.
    2020 - 70ish taps on Shurflo 4008. Mason 2x4 XL. DIY R.O. ~24 gallons.
    ______________________________________________
    Trout Brook Valley
    Weston, CT

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    159

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    Quote Originally Posted by Woodsrover View Post
    I have a funny feeling about this year. I can see the season being over earlier than later.....
    Nooooo!!!! I hope you are wrong . . . but we will see.

    I tapped the trees I have on tubing only, that go to my main tank Sunday and yesterday (about 40 ish taps). I hope to get the bucketed trees tapped today.
    2017 - 20ish taps on buckets, boiling outside in two baking pans
    2018 - 70+ taps, 14-buckets, 50+ on tubing, homemade arch from oil tank in my barn, 17 gal syrup
    2019 - same set up, 20 gal syrup
    2020 - less taps, short season, but RO kit was fantastic! 6 gal syrup and a maple cat!
    2021/22/23 - expanded into the neighbors yards! 50 taps on buckets and 40 taps on tubing

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Ashford, CT
    Posts
    918

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    Quote Originally Posted by Woodsrover View Post
    I have a funny feeling about this year. I can see the season being over earlier than later.....
    I'm way behind time and financial resources but I started tapping a few lines on Sunday to clear out the lines this week and will plan on finishing this weekend and next and hope that the season doesn't end prematurely. It looks like things might turn colder mid-month but let's see how long that holds. If the rest of this winter is any guide it may not last but we are ready for pattern change.
    About 300 taps
    2'x6' air tight arch
    Semi complete 12'x24' sugarhouse in Somers, CT
    My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapturedNature
    My eBook: Making Maple Syrup in your Backyard

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Cornwall, CT
    Posts
    356

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    Bottled 4 gallons last night. Dark.
    I had golden last week and this week went right to dark.
    1980 - 6 taps, stone fire pit, drain pan evaporator, 1 pint of syrup
    2016 - 55 taps on 3/16 and gravity, new sugar shack, 2x3 Mason XL, 16 gallons of syrup
    2017 - 170 taps on 3/16, 2x4 Mason XL, NextGen RO. 50 gallons of syrup
    2018 - 250+ taps on gravity and buckets, 2x5 Smokey Lake arch and Beaverland pan.
    2019 - 250+ taps on gravity. A few buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
    2020 - 300+ taps on gravity. 50 gallons of syrup.
    2021 - 280 taps on gravity and 40 buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Torrington , CT
    Posts
    22

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    I tapped on Sunday still waiting for the first good run in Warren. Unfortunately my land doesn’t get the best sun and it’s flatter than a pancake always trying to fight gravity 🤦🏻*♂️ I have 82 on a shurflo 4048 running 15 pounds at least something is helping me. I hope tomorrow I have an enough to run my new RO bucket and boil for the first time. I had about 30
    Gallons total between yesterday and today. I always seem to run later than most people.
    2018 - 30 buckets boiled on 2 barrel evaporators 2.5 gal
    2019 - 48 on 5/16 tubing and 30 buckets 2x4 WF mason XL 14 gallons made.
    2020 - 85 on 5/16 tubing and 30 buckets and a new cupola on the shack
    2021 - Mountain maple s3 controller with shurflo 4048 pump added 85 on 5/16 30 buckets
    2022 - 85 on 5/16 no buckets this year (next gen sugar maker on tap)

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    northwest CT
    Posts
    74

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tobey802 View Post
    I tapped on Sunday still waiting for the first good run in Warren. Unfortunately my land doesn’t get the best sun and it’s flatter than a pancake always trying to fight gravity ����*♂️ I have 82 on a shurflo 4048 running 15 pounds at least something is helping me. I hope tomorrow I have an enough to run my new RO bucket and boil for the first time. I had about 30
    Gallons total between yesterday and today. I always seem to run later than most people.
    i think its just our area up here, we never seem to get the big runs on the days other people do, for a small state our weather can be totally different then most of the state

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Ashford, CT
    Posts
    918

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    Quote Originally Posted by CTguy923 View Post
    i think its just our area up here, we never seem to get the big runs on the days other people do, for a small state our weather can be totally different then most of the state
    Yep...I have taps from Somers to Woodstock in the Northeast corner which range in elevation of 300' to 1200' and there's always differences and that's in that 30 mile span lol.
    About 300 taps
    2'x6' air tight arch
    Semi complete 12'x24' sugarhouse in Somers, CT
    My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapturedNature
    My eBook: Making Maple Syrup in your Backyard

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