Central Ontario Tapping

[Lespetras]

Yes, I'm still up. I'm trying to get this mini-batch of box elder syrup rendered down far enough that I can check for density in the morning. I can't wait to measure out the batch of soft/sugar syrup that I made from Monday's tsunami. Looks like it could be 7 or 8L!

Ooooh.. Those are good numbers!! I'm rooting for you! I must admit I'm in love with maple syrup... We made a ham with glazed maple sauce and maple carrots this week... It's like the movie 'Chocolat' except with maple syrup... Everything maple!! I'm addicted... Food tastes better with maple syrup and we have like a few years supply!

[Run Forest Run!]

Thanks. OK, I'll admit that when I had a couple of pieces of ham at dinner tonight I drizzled a little of the warm syrup that was cooking on the stovetop over it. I know, I know.

My box elder syrup is now thick enough for me to turn everything off for tonight. Final adjustments in the morning.

[NTBugtraq]

Well folks, I don't know what you trees are doing, but mine are in a sap tsunami right now. I have received 60 gallons of sap in the last 5 hours. The forecast calls for temperatures to continue to rise through tomorrow afternoon, so I imagine this is going to peter out at some point, but its pretty awesome right now. My 1" main line is 1/2 full and constant...nvr seen so much sap in the pipe before.

[MustardSeedMum]

NT, good for you. Quiet on my end here. It's foggy and damp out here, and the only thing in my buckets is tree pee.

Finishing all my nearups I've kept over the last week, and probably going to boil indoors the sap I have leftover, since rain is forecast for the next little while.
Don't want my sap to go bad waiting for the skies to clear.

Bad news today would be my obligatory pour-syrup-into-coffee-urn-canner-while-the-spout-is-open today.
Good news is I didn't go freakazoid on my girl who was in charge of pouring out the hot water out of the canner and setting it up.
And by golly, I got bonus points for allowing my 3.5 year old to turn the spout on and off while I held the bottle to be filled.

[Run Forest Run!]

NTB, I checked your weather vs. mine and it seems that a few measly degrees has made all the difference. That's great news for you! I hope it continues.

MSM, I held a moment of silence for your lost syrup. Brutal.

[NTBugtraq]

NTB, I checked your weather vs. mine and it seems that a few measly degrees has made all the difference. That's great news for you! I hope it continues.

I said earlier, I often run colder than the forecast for my "area". Actually, the nearest weather station to me is Lagoon City, which is on the east shore of Lake Simcoe some 40Km east of me. Next nearest is Peterborough Airport, a ridiculously far distance from me. My own thermo says I got down to 30.9F overnight, and it was obviously long enough since water pooled on my deck froze. I wonder if I could've got more sap had I left the low vac running overnight...hmmm. I'm at 76 gallons so far today, and its still running (albeit much slower than before). I have to wonder how much of this run is due to the low vacuum pump...which is sold as being able to get more sap on "poor" days.

MSM, did that myself last week. Consider it an annual ritual that MUST be observed....;-]

[NTBugtraq]

BTW, Karen, sorry to say that my new goal is Lespetras. Her/his stats say 1.0029L/tap. Yours is at an impressive .4939L/tap. I'm at a measly .3814L/tap...but I still have sap to boil....;-] FWIW, both of your numbers are way higher than I thought was possible, so a humble bow to the small tappers...you folks are awesome.

[Run Forest Run!]

I do graciously concede to the reigning Queen 'Lesley of Acer'. My signature stats will be updated shortly, hopefully tonight, but alas they will still be short of the 1L/tap mark. All hail Queen Lesley.

[Lespetras]

I do graciously concede to the reigning Queen 'Lesley of Acer'. My signature stats will be updated shortly, hopefully tonight, but alas they will still be short of the 1L/tap mark. All hail Queen Lesley.

Lol!! Like I said beginners luck, was only aiming for 10 litres.. Are you guys convinced season is over? I'm hanging on a few more days.. Gonna wait to see if the north facing trees continue...

[Run Forest Run!]

As to the question of when the season will end, I'm 100% certain that I'm uncertain. I am 100% certain, however, that if the buckets are down they will collect no sap. Therefore they will stay hung on the tree until I hear peepers and see big fat buds. Of that I am certain. All hail Queen Lesley of Acer.