I am wishing I at least hung my lines up before the freezing temps this weekend, so all that was left is to drill holes when the weather starts to look right. I am sure I have missed out on some flows, but that is way to early in the season, not in the syrup mindset yet, especially with it being for "fun".
I think I might tap on Saturday. I'm on buckets....should I go for it or wait?
I'm in Galway. It looks favorable. Just hesitant to pull the trigger.Originally Posted by MRFNY
Just keep in mind you basically start the clock on your season when you tap and you never know if you're pre-empting a short year or cutting off a long one!
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2015: 8 bucket taps (7 red, 1 sugar) on DIY barrel evaporator
2016: 13 taps (bucket and tube) on block arch and hotel pans
2017: SAME
2018: 25 taps on 2x3 flat pan and resurrected barrel arch
2019: 25 taps...same setup plus DIY 3x150gpd RO filter
2020: 50 taps, all buckets..."new" oil tank arch setup
2021: 100 taps (50/50 buckets/3-16 tubing) on 2x4 divided pan
2022: 150 taps (50/100 b/t) on 2x4 pan with sap warmer pan
2023: SAME
2024: 150 taps, added single-post 4x40 RO system
I know! I've tapped this early in previous years which is why I am thinking I'll give it a go, but looking at my notes from each year there always seems to be a long cold spell in-between.
Ugh I know. Decisions decisions!
Western Albany County here. I am considering doing my taps on tubing this weekend as the forecast is looking good and hold off on my buckets until later in the season. I trimmed some branches the other day and there were sapcicles hanging off them yesterday and it was only 34 and not even sunny out. I dont typically tap until the end of February and usually get a stretch of cold weather splitting up the season some but havent had any issues. I am lucky in the fact that i only currently tap about 20% of my trees so if this ends up being a failure i can always tap different trees if the season goes long.
The weather this winter has got me worrying about a warm march, but who knows we might end up going well into April this year? A few years back i was still boiling sap on April 20th.
Running great today. Typically, anytime I tapped around Valentines Day my taps never dried up. My friend on tubing has started tapping this past Sunday. He will finish by next week sometime. He catches the late season without any issues.
Last edited by Eberzin; 02-08-2023 at 11:38 AM.
Well i usually tap around Presidents weekend ,but with this some what open winter,i will start tapping this coming Monday
I’m on buckets as well. Going to roll the dice and tap on Sunday. I’m just south of Lake George.
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