Tapping in Ontario

[ennismaple]

Does anyone else in Northern Ontario have their taps in yet?
I'm keeping my eye on the weather and thinking about tapping next weekend.
First generation, second season, and can't wait for the weather to break!

We're in Lanark County in Eastern Ontario and the earliest we've made syrup in the past 20 years is March 7. Last year it was March 28 for the first boil.

[KenWP]

If i have to wait till almost April I am going to be bald. This is worse then waiting for election results.

[Big_Eddy]

I'm in Belleville - just off the lake. Earliest I've ever tapped was Valentine's day - but usually wait till first of March. My biggest runs are ALWAYS around March break - If I tap early my holes are starting to dry up by then and I only get half what I should from the good runs (I know this from experience - I'm always wanting to tap early, and have started too early more than once)

We have sapsicles hanging off broken twigs on the trees in the sun now - so it is flowing, but I figure another 2 weeks before we're looking at consistent runs.

Those of you who "can't wait" might want to tap a few trees on the sunny side of your property, but not tap the majority of them - that way you get a taste, but don't end up with dry holes while everyone else is seeing good runs.

I figure 2 more weeks around here.

[johnallin]

Big Eddy,
I'm on the south shore of Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio and tapped last weekend. I brought in 15 gallons of sap from my 35 taps this morning and based on how they were running hope to get another 15-20 tonight.

If the holes dry up can I just re-drill? If so, with the small number I have it would be worth it to get the early run and get started.

[Jazzman]

I'm just north of Barrie and I usually tap first or second week of March.


Fred

[Maple Restoration]

Does anyone else in Northern Ontario have their taps in yet?
I'm keeping my eye on the weather and thinking about tapping next weekend.
First generation, second season, and can't wait for the weather to break!

Welcome Northern Maple we are located 2 hour north of you, we normally tap around the second weekend of march last year our first boil was march 16th 2008 a good rule of thumb is st-patrick's day for tapping I hope this helps you. I just finished helping one of the larger producer just north of me on the weekend we got 11000 of his 15000 taps in he get an earlier start due to his vacuum system.

[Brent]

Here is a link to the latest newsletter from the Ontario Ministry Of Agriculture
relating to Maple Syrup and Tapping this season.

http://apps.omafra.gov.on.ca/scripts...le.asp?ID=1640

[Jerome]

After looking at the long range it looks like I'll be tapping this weekend.

[Maple Restoration]

Good luck Jerome I wish you all the best this weekend we will be waiting till the 7th of march just working on a new to me 12v blower for the arch since we have no hydro and my new back pan should be done today since old age finally killed the old one. And Brent how are thing in your neck of the woods?

[Brent]

Just printed the 15 day from Acu-Weather and it looks much more optimistic than a few days back. Almost every day after Tuesday in the + range.

Got to get the storage tanks and gen set to the woods, put saddle fittings on the 3/4" tubing, put bags on the holders and be ready. Clean the pans, put a hole in the arch for my blower experiment.

It's getting real close