newbie questions... (Long)

[happy thoughts]

re hydrotherms. I think their use is more popular across the border. The reason I've seen stated to discourage their use here in the US is that there is no way to standardize/ calibrate them. If it works for you, then use it and spend your money elsewhere as you're only making syrup for your own use.

The one concern I'd have is with what someone else mentioned earlier about them containing mercury. I doubt any new models contain that but if yours is older and you think yours does then don't use it and dispose of it safely as hazardous waste. Mercury on the loose would make any syrup it contaminated unusable and you'd also have a big biohazard on your hands. Mercury contaminated syrup would also need to be handled as hazardous waste and would need special disposal. I can't believe we used to play with the liquid stuff as kids in science class. .Times have sure changed!

[870ExpressMag]

well my hydrotherm would have been purchased brand new round 2008-2009, i would think that would be new enough to not contain mercury

[happy thoughts]

I think you're probably good. They've been phasing out mercury use in thermometers for more than a few years. You'd also be able to tell by the silver liquid.

[870ExpressMag]

The liquid is red in the thermometer, outside
Of package says made in USA

[Hannah]

Definitely not a sugar.

My silvers all have relatively smooth bark and are on low ground, usually wet, sometimes referred to as swamp maples.

The bark looks to me like a Red.

Here is the bark of a known red:


http://forestry.about.com/od/forestp...-and-Trunk.htm

I agree, we started out tapping some silvers on the neighbors property that was flooded from a small creek every winter. We would start tapping on ice and finish the season collecting buckets with waders on. Some would do really well and some never produced a drop. Luckily the neighbor to the south has sugars that are much easier to get to and lets us tap his. Can't thank him enough

[Cedar Eater]

Reds also do well in low ground, like 2' above the water table in a cedar swamp. I've got a lot of them. But that bark doesn't look like a red.

[DonMcJr]

I tap some sugars and reds but mostly silvers...my 2 reds do what yoyrs do...yellow sap, not alot and buds open 1st. I use the yellow sap as long as it smells and tatses ok...when them 2 reds stop I know the season is close to done...