2018 - NW Wisconsin

[Merklin Maples]

Here in Hayward it has been a crazy season as well. Tapped the first weekend in March through deep snow. The weather has not cooperated at all. Sometimes it was 7-10 day before there was enough to collect. It was too cold at night and took all day to start dripping for maybe a hour then would stop. Thought this weekend would be good but now is too warm during the day. Sap starts to drip in the morning and stops mid afternoon. Last night the temps here were 27 degrees but suppose to be in the high 50's today. Have made a little over 11 gallons this year though. Hoping for a little bit more. Would like to make at least 15 gallons but will take what mother nature gives. Trying to put off the tough job of cleaning everything up after pulling taps. G'ma Cindy I am sorry you had such a tough season. Maybe next year will be better.

[Austin351]

Went into this week with just over 4.5 gallons of syrup after being tapped for 5 weeks. The last 5 days brought me another 5.5 gallons of syrup off of 68 taps. Had some long days and very long nights keeping up with the batches and decided to pull the plug in the woods today around 4:00. Sap went cloudy and the reds look to be ready to pop. Decent sugar % for my season, most of which was 2.6 but yesterday went to 2.2 and then today was 2.0. Will have to finish / bottle what is in the pan tomorrow, I'm beat.

[Merklin Maples]

Looks like today may be the last day for collecting here. The forecast looks like it won't run. It will be a long time until the peepers are singing. We still have snow on the ground and over 20 inches of ice on the lakes. So far we have made 13 gallons of syrup. I am considering looking for a used small press. After 16 years I am really tired of the cone filters but will continue to use them until I find a deal on a press.

[GramaCindy]

Thanks Merklin. I certainly hope so.

[Austin351]

Gonna tap this weekend or at least get the 3/16" lines strung on some new tapping property. Snowshoes again this year....

[Jeff E]

Its time. Seems like a lot of frost, but with the warm week next week, it should be starting. As late as it is, we are still going to have decent taps into mid April for sure.

[Austin351]

I am a little concerned that this year will be a very short season.....

[jbelany]

Tapped today in northern Ashland county (my fence is on the Bayfield county line). 84 taps. All of the reds are awake and each had about 2 inches in them about 2 hours after tapping. A dozen of these taps are in sugar maples and they are not doing anything yet.

The snow is deep in the woods and hauling sap is going to be a challenge. First time I have ever used a snowmobile to get a 4-wheeler unstuck; lots of hard work today. Snowshoes are a must, snow is at least 18"-24" deep if you step off with just boots on your feet.

Joe

[Jeff E]

We have been doing the snow shoe slog for about 10 days now. We have about 1500 tapped, about 1000 to go.
The last 2 days we actually saw sap moving, enough to find the 150+ squirrel chews!!! This is the worst I have seen the critter damage in my woods.
Chewing taps and tubes...little B'srds!

500 gallons collected yesterday. It begins.