
Originally Posted by
Clamer33
If your not getting any sap, I m going to assume that your taps are closing over, or your splies are plugged with mold. I was pulling taps today and found a great amount of the half to almost closed over.
Some sap is one thing, no sap from 216 taps under potentially 20at is IMO, quite another. Further, should the taps have been blocked, there would be no reason for not getting pressure (I'm only able to get up to 7.5at.)
Besides, the 2008 Maple Syrup Digest included the paper "The Timing of Tapping for Maple Sap Collection", which in essence proves that there is not a significant drop in flow because taps have been in the tree for a while (they tested from as early as January 4th) with sap runs up to 4/23. Old taps produce less later in the season, but not none.
Anyway, whatever the reason, my season is done. 69F here today will likely get buds popping quickly. I still have 200+ gallons of sap to boil, so no final figures yet. At least I know now not to leave any syrup in the arch this year...;-]
2017: added shut-off valves at several points on the main line, 66L made, 13L sold
2016: Added Wesfab 7" Filter Press with hand pump, 96L sold
2015: now 216 taps, added low vac (24" hg) to new Sugar Shack (24' x 16') w/400gal storage, 143.15L sold
2014: now 150 taps, added 2 sump pumps to 12'x12' sugar shack w/100gal storage to CDL 18"x5', 2 chamber drop flue, 40L sold
2013: 10 5/16 taps gravity to hose, boiled on BBQ