Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[spud]

I’m hoping I don’t have limbs down in my woods. My vacuum is 28 at the releaser but I know parts of the woods is just thawing out. My sap is running 125 gph and testing at 1.8% now. I have about 1200 gallons in the tank. It should pick up in the next few hours.

Spud

[Mooneybc]

1.2gpt today at 1.6%. We still haven’t had that big run yet.

[spud]

.85 gpt today. Saps still running about 125 gph. Sap testing at 1.8%. Tomorrow should bring about the same.

Spud

[DrTimPerkins]

Kind of a slow thaw and slow, steady sap run. Trees were really cold-soaked after the low temperatures we had, so they're taking their time thawing out.

[DrTimPerkins]

...I also spotted 4 trees in my backyard with buds on them already.

Do you mean you can see that the trees have buds or that the buds are swollen/opening? Are these sugar maple or red maple?

Trees always have buds (unless they're dead). That's not a problem. Also, red maples tend to flower early, but flower buds don't impact buddy off-flavors.

I've only seen sugar maple break bud early (and then suffer frost damage) twice in the 40+ yrs I've been studying them...but then again...it's been a really hot winter/spring so far, so who knows?

[spud]

Got another 3000 gallons today but the sugar dropped to 1.5%. Looks like we will start having freezing nights starting Wednesday night. It looks like I’m getting a little less per tap due to some smaller trees. I’m sure this also is why my sugar is a bit low compared to others.

Spud

[tcross]

we're certainly not getting any great runs here, but the sugar content is staying strong. even without any freezes the past few days, we're still at 2-2.25%. had frozen over puddles in the driveway this a.m, hopefully that'll help keep the flow going. if the forecast is correct, it's looking like great sap running weather for a while, starting thursday/friday.

[Mooneybc]

Over the last 2 days it ran about 1.75gpt at 1.3%

[Mooneybc]

Do you mean you can see that the trees have buds or that the buds are swollen/opening? Are these sugar maple or red maple?

The reds are definitely swollen and opening. The sugars are swelling.I tried inserting pictures of each but the website is telling me the upload is failing. If I can figure out how to post the pictures I will do so.

[spud]

In the last 24 hours I have dropped to .65 gpt and sugar is 1.4%. I’m looking forward to the upcoming freezing nights.

Spud