Tapped in Southern Lake County

[johnallin]

Tapped this weekend just couldn't wait any longer. Sap was running a little on Saturday but nothing yesterday. Has anyone else tapped around here yet? I was late last year with a new 1/2 pint to put together and didn't tap until 2nd week of march, don't want to miss anything...

We're just south of I 90, at the extreeme southern border of Lake County - northern edge of Geauga County about half way up Little Mountain. Sap last year was amazing, any ideas on what this year may bring?

[Jeffery G.]

John,
Tapped a week ago today, 145 taps. Sap was running good for a couple days. Brought in 225 gals. It shut down this weekend, and I'm hoping tomorrow and wednesday's 40+ degree highs get something moving. I'm about 20 miles due east of you in Jefferson. Good luck to you, its still early.

[CrossBroMaple]

i tap about 400 or so in north madison, dock rd, going to wait alittle longer...and yes you will out grow yourself every year
matt

[SullivanDave]

John,
We are about to purchase a Half Pint.
How do you like it?
Any advice on operation?
We are located 15 miles south of Oberlin.
Young forest with 50 taps.
Got the bug last year with a broiler pan over a grate in the back yard.
Dave

[jason grossman]

we still haven't tapped yet and i think we will probably wait until this wekend or next week. kind of just in a holding pattern.

[parsissn]

I tapped this past weekend mostly because it was a convenient time for me to get it done. Wasn't much flow over the weekend or today. I expect to get a decent run mid week this week and we'll see from there.

[johnallin]

John,
We are about to purchase a Half Pint.
How do you like it?
Any advice on operation?
We are located 15 miles south of Oberlin.
Young forest with 50 taps.
Got the bug last year with a broiler pan over a grate in the back yard.
Dave

Dave,
My first year was also a broiler pan over some cinder blocks in the woods. The half pint is setup number 3, second year was a little box stove with an 18x24 flat pan on top and I could only do batches with it- small batches at that.

The half pint is great, and for me was an introduction to real boiling. One day last season I was able to put up 23 - 8oz bottles after one day of boiling - my total for 2007 was 24 bottles with the little box stove. That's not much compared to some on here, but this is a small hobby operation at present with only 3 years under its belt. I have 35 taps in so far this year and am shooting for 40.

The half pint is rated for "50" so we'll see where we end up.
In short, I don't think you will regret the Half Pint, it's much better than batch boiling and produces some very nice syrup. By the way I purchased it from Richards in Chardon, they are great folks and had 2 in stock last year.

[johnallin]

John,
Tapped a week ago today, 145 taps. Sap was running good for a couple days. Brought in 225 gals. It shut down this weekend, and I'm hoping tomorrow and wednesday's 40+ degree highs get something moving. I'm about 20 miles due east of you in Jefferson. Good luck to you, its still early.

Jeff,
Thanks I thoght it might be early, but couldn't sit still any longer. Hope to have something to bring in by Thursday-Friday.

[woodcutter]

Hello all, I tapped Feb. 6, we have had one of those years where nothing seems to go right. Washed tubbing on over 2feet of snow and tapped 400 after that. The sap came in at 1.75, 49to1. This is the lowest ratio I have ever started at. We tap all Hard Maples and usually start at 32 or 34 to1. Is anyone else seeing low sugar? Made 24gal. taste is very good but a little darker than usual due to the longer time cooking. We should get a small run today and some tomorrow. To Matt in North Madison come over sometime we are in South Madison .

[fred]

Hello all, I tapped Feb. 6, we have had one of those years where nothing seems to go right. Washed tubbing on over 2feet of snow and tapped 400 after that. The sap came in at 1.75, 49to1. This is the lowest ratio I have ever started at. We tap all Hard Maples and usually start at 32 or 34 to1. Is anyone else seeing low sugar? Made 24gal. taste is very good but a little darker than usual due to the longer time cooking. We should get a small run today and some tomorrow. To Matt in North Madison come over sometime we are in South Madison .

might be from tapping too early.most have not tapped yet in portage and summit, too many cold spells