Bigsap Warning 2010

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Theron,
Right behind you. Think about 950. Gonna depend on how it runs the next few days. I have had the pumps off for about 36 hours and am off to start them again now. Probably run until Thursday night when it hits about 25. Supposed to bottom out in the low teens that night and a high Friday of 25. Then back to Sap weather. The race is on...Headed down the Home Stretch

[PATheron]

Doug- I think you might catch me but your going to have to WANNNNNNN IT!!!! Im going to take pride in trying to make the nastying tasting stuff anybodys ever tasted. Theeeron

[maplecrest]

well the things have been interesting here ropey sap sunday.got to clean flue pan every day MUD. froze here today for the first time in a month 28 degrees.hope this is the 1/2 way point. at 2600 gallons last nite. a low of 5 friday nite. should kick the trees in gear.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Theron,
If it is going to come down to making mersh, you're going to have to learn to keep it in the pan. Maybe we both need lessons from Matt on that one.
Doug

[can'twaitforabigrun]

One of the strangest years in memory. Looked favourable for tapping the first weekend of March, but didn't since around here most people tap around the 15th to the 18th. Some people did tap early and it did run good for a week or so and then stopped. We tapped on the 15th, had a good run the day after, and then our best runs have been last Sunday and Monday; the 21 and 22. If the forcast holds true we could be pulling our taps by next weekend. April 3-5. Inbetween now and then the forecast looks excellent to make lots of syrup!!

[KenWP]

I got asked today from a french speaking Quebecois if the season was over. I explined in Frankenglish that the fat lady hasn't even stood up yet around here. I don't think she believed me as she heard from another Quebecois that we were done for. These guys up here are wooses if you ask me.

[PATheron]

No Wooses at Pierce and Sons. Gonna fill drum number 21 tomarrow. Sugar wayyy down. Gotta R.O for quite while to make something sweet. Supposed to freeze tonight and hopefully itll run till mid next week. So far everything weve made has had real good taste, even now. Syrup very dark though. Thank goodness for a vac pump and an R.O. Ill bet gravity I wouldnt have made over a couple hundred gallons. Going to see how long I can get sap this year. Not turning the pump off till no sap comes out or I cant get it through the pans or were into NEXT YEARS SEASON. Theeron

[ennismaple]

Ther-NoSleepUntilMay-on: You'd better hope you make a lot of mersh because if the weather cooperates we could catch you! Last night got to 3 below, tonight's supposed to got to 13 below and not even get above freezing until Saturday. Could be a HUUUUGGGGE weekend.

[Jeff E]

Just catching up here-In Wisconsin we are having similar issues. The first 3 weeks of the season were warm, very little freezing. That pattern has changed in the last 5 days, so we are getting some sap now.

Vac saved the day for me, as I have been making syrup right along. 19 last night and not really getting above freezing today, 14 tonight. Then 55 tomorrow. Let it run!
We typically go into the 2nd or 3rd week of April, but the soft maple buds are busting out already. Could cause a quick end during the next warm up.

Working on Drum #9. Low sugar, mostly DA being made.

[PATheron]

Jeff and Marty- GO, GO, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told my wife last night to pick me up 500$ worth of butter this week at the grocery store. Boilin till theres more butter in the barrell than syrup. Save em butterin their pancakes. Theee( gonna make mersh so nasty its a whole new grade nobody's ever even heard of before)rooooon