N.w. Wisconsin 2023

[Dave Evenson]

We had a decent run over Easter weekend, but no freezing after that. I finished off the season and bottled today. 38 pints. If a quart of syrup per tap is a good standard, I was far short of that this year, 38 pints for 50 taps. I left the taps in, expect freezing weather later this weekend, so we will see. Sure easier walking in the woods, almost all snow gone!

[GramaCindy]

Here in Bayfield CO. I have had a test tap out and it's running well. I tapped one of my saplines yesterday. The weather for more than 10 days looks perfect for sap. So early, but after a bust last year, I'm willing to risk it.

[Dave Evenson]

I put a test tap in on Sunday and have gotten a half gallon sap each of the last three days. I expect that to continue for a week or so, but since I'm on buckets I won't put in all my taps yet- holes would dry up or get bacteria. But I likely will tap earlier than usual- maybe last week of February? I assume the sap that is flowing now is lost and gone, so worry about what will be left. We'see>

[shedhunter]

I tapped today SE Sawyer Co. The way the soft maples look, I'm figuring its not going to last long. Next 10 days look pretty decent. Trees by the garage had inch in the bags in couple hours. Couple inches of snow and not much frost.

[sbingham]

We tapped 100 trees yesterday - just north of Tony in Rusk County.
About 2/3 of them were wet when I pulled the bit out.
Didn't tap any soft maples this year, looks like they could bud at any time.
If the forecast is correct, looks to be good for the most part in the coming weeks.

[Dave Evenson]

March 8, 2025, Cumberland. I tapped 100 or so taps yesterday and today and most of them are running. Snow is going fast. Freeze expected tonight and warm tomorrow, I assume I'll be collecting by Monday, maybe on Sunday.

[sbingham]

Not very much posted for NW Wisconsin this year here on Maple Trader.
Here is a summary of 2025 from our sugar bush north of Tony in Rusk County:
We tapped on March 2nd, in hindsight should have waited until St. Patrick's Day - unfortunately, the extended weather forecasts are pretty much useless.
We collected a total of 1,200 gallons on 100 taps - fired up the evaporator 10 times over the course of the season.
Our last cook was on April 5th and pulled the taps the same day.
Likely missed a couple more runs, but felt it was time to wrap up the year.
We bottled today and ended up with 26 gallons and 3 pints of syrup.
Another odd year, sap was crystal clear all along but when we filtered the syrup coming off the evaporator - filters were black, first cook to the last.
Sap ran on cold windy days, ran through the night several times - about the time you think you have it figured out, you realize that you don't ...
Finished syrup is dark, but the flavor is very good.
Hope everyone else had a good year as well!