Vernon County

[Mr Sugar Maple]

Hi Tommore 30 For me its still early,we get about six weeks on buckets. so tapping now only takes us to March 25th. I plan to do things like haul my bulk tanks up top,cover them with snow run the main line down to the sugar house, and clean the sugar house up some. Great to be in the woods again. Have fun with sophie

[Irish Ridge]

OK, you guys have gotten me to rethink my tapping. Will only tap my top of the ridge trees tomorrow. My trees located lower in the valley start about a week later anyway. I checked my notes and last year I started collecting sap on Feb. 20th. My trees were done on March 8th. Can the season actually begin earlier than last year??? Decisions, Decisions.

Spent 2 enjoyable hours this afternoon in a skid steer getting my trails cleared. Buckets have been set by the trees and other supplies are ready to go.

Will see what tomorrow brings....

[Mr Sugar Maple]

Hi Irish Ridge, well it sure looks like the season is on,I have everything ready to tap, looks like Friday the 17th for me. Even if I had my taps in cant get any sugar house help yet.Have a spout in a backyard tree when I got home and checked it, found one and a quarter gallons. this next week looks like a good week. Good luck to everyone.

[Mr Sugar Maple]

Going to the sugar bush tomorrow, will not tap as planned forecast too warm.looks warm thru next Friday, will wait and see. clean up branches in the woods better walking with buckets. clean out the bluebird houses stay safe everyone.

[Tommoore30]

Tapped my usual 30 trees today - 15 on the ridge, 15 below. Sap flowing strong. Great day. Can't wait to boil!
Tom

[Mr Sugar Maple]

Hi guys Sunday February 26th was a great day in the woods,new snow cover after the record temps last week. Three of us put in our 225 taps, sure felt good to get the season going and looking for lots of sap. Some trees are at bud swell hope they slow up for a few weeks anyways. How are things in other sugar bushes? Sap on.

[Irish Ridge]

Was wondering when we would hear from you Mr. Sugar Maple. Getting in at a good time. Forecast looks great. My walk in the woods today was simply getting ice and snow off the bucket tops. I also see bud development over by me. It appears another interesting season has come our way. Enjoy it.

[Mr Sugar Maple]

HI Irish Ridge, yes its good to be gathering sap now. One odd thing ,we found a dead duck up top in the sugar bush guess you never know what you will find in the woods.

[Mr Sugar Maple]

Yesterday March 1st I gathered 335 gal sap, in the snow gusty north west winds had some pails overflowing and some only a quart or so. Seems odd a two trunk tree one overflowing the other only a gallon of sap. saw one moth and not too many snow fleas That had to be one of the worst days gathering I ever had, the weather seems to be a real challenge this season. Sap on

[Irish Ridge]

Can't imagine gathering 335 gallons in buckets in one day. The old back just isn't what it used to be. Oh, and I can see you out in that snow and wind. I was out in that same wind and snow boiling - no roof over my operation. Full disclosure - with snow melting around the heat and mud, wet grass, and slush as a result; don't know how I did it but somehow I took a huge header landing on my back looking up. That one got me thinking. So as you were calling this weather a challenge, I was calling it that and much more. What a hobby.