Central Ontario Tapping

[MustardSeedMum]

I know it's a total pain in the neck, but the jugs that I have here on my property are tied to the trees. A few years of chasing empty buckets got the better of me and I just deal with the string. The wind up here is nuts.

Yeah, so my sap haulers will go on strike if I do that. Already I pepper them with reminders everytime they go out to collect...."make sure the lid goes back on properly, make sure the bucket is secure on the ground so it doesn't tip over. Make sure you don't yank the blue bucket off the hook too hard, make sure the tubing sits properly in the bucket, remember to....hey where'd everybody go?...

Wind is picking up, some taps are excruciatingly slow...could the holes be drying up in some of these??!!

My tubing in the 5 gallon buckets seem to be doing a little better. Kids gathered about 60L earlier today (this is from the whole of last week to 1pm today) I just went out to check and it looks like I've got another 30+L out there.

So I've got about 200L to start boiling tomorrow. Still hoping for a good run this week.

[67HEAVEN]

Collected twice today and got a total of 50 L from 5 trees (10 taps). In spite of its reputation for low sugar, I tapped my neighbour's Manitoba Maple. Beggars (only 4 trees on my property) can't be choosers.

[Run Forest Run!]

Hey 67Heaven, don't poopoo that Manitoba Maple. My dozen or so usually sit around 2.5%. As for other softs, my Norway gave me 6L of 4% today. My neighbour wanted me to tap their Norway too so I did. That one is lower in sugar content and output but still decent compared to a forest sugar maple. My silvers and my Freeman maple are currently in the 2.5-4% range. The main difference with soft maples vs. sugar maples is that they taste less 'mapley' than a sugar does. They give a very mild and buttery syrup. Delicious on their own, or blended with sugars.

MSM, I wouldn't think that any of your taps are drying up yet. You'll be swimming in sap soon and your brood will be running for their floaties. Between my trees here and the ones I tap down the street, the 28 taps gave me a whopping 26L. Respectable but not spectacular. This year has been very easy to keep up with so far. I did a mini-boil today and then refilled two propane tanks at Costco tonight so I'm ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at me for the next few days.

[Run Forest Run!]

Sun is out. No wind. Temps in the plus. Taps have just let loose. I'm going to stop now before I jinx the whole thing.

[Run Forest Run!]

Things are picking up speed here in The Golden Horseshoe. Two burners are going and the sweet smell of victory is in the air today.

[JWB27]

I boiled about 30 gallons down on Sat. Had some things come up so I put the unfinished sap in the fridge. Do you think it will still be good to finish tonight or tomorrow.

[Run Forest Run!]

Absolutely John. If it was cold you're likely just fine.

[Lespetras]

Things are picking up speed here in The Golden Horseshoe. Two burners are going and the sweet smell of victory is in the air today.

Yes Karen, here too in The Kingston area.. Very exciting!

[Run Forest Run!]

At the moment I've got two pots simmering on the stove with the final results from 150L of sap collected today and over the past week. I collected 60L today. Bucket results were all over the map. Sugar is excellent.

[Run Forest Run!]

Hmmm. Well not what I was expecting today.... I collected a total of 57L. Respectable, but not overwhelming. A couple of taps really came to the party today, but on average things were sluggish. Didn't even start the burners. I am, however, finishing off what looks like a gallon+ of syrup that I started last night. I'm anxious to total it up. Gave away a couple bottles of syrup to friends today. That's always fun.