Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[spud]

Just missed a freeze last night. Sap ran very well starting about 1:00 pm yesterday. I got 1.25 gpt with this run so far. Should run well today and then slow down over the weekend with no freeze. Monday and Tuesday nights are showing freeze for me. Hoping it keep running till next weekend. My pond is froze and there is still snow in the back section of the woods. This is where the check valves kick in and out perform the other spouts.

Spud

[blissville maples]

Nice run yesterday, will be about it after today and tomorrow. Lol check valve- I used about 1500 of them this year, they close just like every other. I've been paying extremely close attention this year because I'm not yet convinced. I tap trees last week of February and I'm here to tell you that these check valves dry up just as fast as the others. I have 5 to 6 week old holes check valves that are closing tell me why dr. Tim??? I have noticed that is seems to be more of the tree itself some trees are running great some arer not- check valve or regular spout.. I have a couple trees that should have had a second tap so in a few instances I have done one of two things either pull the check valve out and ream the whole 1/4 inch deeper, or drill a new hole. In both cases regardless of what you do your sap flow will pick up 50%. If these check valves are working why is the flow reduced for the tap hole is my question? Some things on paper don't work in the field this is one of them the concept is there however there's something else besides the contamination that closes the tap hole and I think it's the tree itself.

I have noticed my regular CDL spelts are flowing just as hard as the check valves that are still flowing. And there is about the same percentage that aren't on both types of spouts..

Hey and what do we supposed to do about all the inserts on the tip and the ball stay in the tree after you pull them???

Here's one for all you early tappers, as last year was the last year I will ever tap before February 15th.... Family friend of ours never never ever taps before the last week of February he finished tapping that week this year they have 3300 taps the other day they were at 1920 gallons still boiling hard. He consistently makes .6 to.7 gallons per tap has never thought of using a check valve, and in the first couple weeks of February he's out ice fishing. He learned from his father Don't tap early and after this year I'm on his boat because I tapped late and I'm doing better than ever!!!

But everybody can do what they want that's fine!! Just be careful what you read and what you believe!!!

[spud]

Sap is rolling again today at 300 GPH. Still testing at 1.6%.

Spud

[Mead Maple]

SmokeyAmber that's great! I forfeited myself, didn't care to dip into next seasons home heating firewood so I'll consider it a great season. I'll look forward to hearing more about your 3/16" success!

[GiddingsHill]

Froze here last night, at least down low, wild start this morning with releasers unable to keep up when it let go. Looks like Ill hit 5lbs/tap or .45gal today.
I think we have some time left. Yesterday was the best run Ive had this season. Had my organic inspection today and the GPS sent the poor inspector to my sap house via 1.5 miles of skidoo trail (town rd comes in from other side i dont know why it routed that way) how that car made it I'll never know.

[Mead Maple]

Froze here last night, at least down low, wild start this morning with releasers unable to keep up when it let go. Looks like Ill hit 5lbs/tap or .45gal today.
I think we have some time left. Yesterday was the best run Ive had this season. Had my organic inspection today and the GPS sent the poor inspector to my sap house via 1.5 miles of skidoo trail (town rd comes in from other side i dont know why it routed that way) how that car made it I'll never know.

Hahahaha!
Have to love the GPS in Vermont. Nothing like seeing an 18 wheeler jackknifed in the middle of a Class 4 section of road. Happens quite often around here.


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[GeneralStark]

Boiled today and made another 30 gal of AR. Great light flavored syrup that is quite atypical for this late in the season here. I have enough wood (without scrounging) and motivation for one more good boil so going to boil again on sunday. I really could use some good strong dark syrup... As long as the sap doesn't spoil in the next couple days I'll boil it. Otherwise I'll just boil out the pans...

My tapholes are either just over or just under 2 months old and are still producing well with CV2s or a new drop and spout. Pulled in about 2 gpt in 24 hours yesterday to today. Even the 3/16 lines are still producing well. The vacuum pump has been on for a month but will likely turn it off on sunday after the last boil.

[VTfarmboy]

frogs are singing in castleton!

[Ultimatetreehugger]

Froze up last night and woke up to overflowing tanks. 2800 gallons today. Best run I've ever seen.

[spud]

Sap ran all night for me. It's still running this morning at 180GPH. I am not sure if it will increase during the day when the sun comes out. Sap this morning is testing at 1.7%. My pond is still froze over and there is no signs of peppers. Going down to 35 tonight is what the weather people are saying. I'm hoping it will be 4-5 degrees cooler then that like it sometimes is. It's going to freeze here on Monday and Tuesday nights. This should recharge the trees and allow sap to keep flowing till next weekend for sure. The lack of sun is what has been helping. I continue to run 27 inches of vacuum in all my woods. I am not seeing signs of tree gas that usually brings vacuum way down this time of season. For those who are done i hope things went well for you. For those who are still running lets keep this season alive for a while.

Spud