Southeastern WI Tapping

[Super Sapper]

I have lines up and ready but will wait to tap them for now. We got a lot of frost this year and it will take time for it to thaw out. Yard trees will take some time to be ready. It is -13 right now. I am now retired and should have more time to enjoy the season. Hopefully everyone will have a great season.

[littleTapper]

10-day forecast looks good here for western Racine county. All my taps are in. 134 this year. Gonna be a bit more work this year, I hope.

Some big yard silvers dribbled a bit today when I tapped them; others did the same in my woods. Hopefully things don't take too long to get going.

[littleTapper]

10-day forecast looks good here for western Racine county. All my taps are in. 134 this year. Gonna be a bit more work this year, I hope.

Some big yard silvers dribbled a bit today when I tapped them; others did the same in my woods. Hopefully things don't take too long to get going.

Forecast went from good to "Oh, you want it to freeze at night? Ha, no way!" - 3 below freezing nights in the 10-day. Hope that's wrong.

[WI Sugarpop]

Are you getting any sap? Maybe we need that forecast to get the frost out. We have over 2 feet here.

[littleTapper]

Are you getting any sap? Maybe we need that forecast to get the frost out. We have over 2 feet here.

A bit. You're right. This will help get things going. Sure not expecting much this week.

[littleTapper]

Silvers and norways on vac (Shurflo 4008) are really getting going today. Nice flow into the tank. Some aren't doing much yet; but that's nice to see. All new lines at home. Things are pretty tight. About 19" according to the gauge.

Sure good to open the lid of the tank and smell that wonderful maple sap scent again!!

[seasonaladdiction]

I did 10 trial taps in Fredonia - a few drips at best.
Will try again this afternoon with a few more. Must be getting close.

[littleTapper]

Checked my remote trees yesterday. There are two bushes. The north slope one was obviously slow, but had pushed out a bit over half a gallon per tap. The new to me this year west slope was running really nicely. Over 1g/tap. ground was definitely mush there. Those trees are 3/16 down a hill to a Shurflo, which pushes back up the hill to a road so I can collect. About 25' of rise from pump to road. No problem pushing that up and gauge showed 24" of vac at the top. I suspect that group is really going to be great producers. Probably can add more there in the next few years if I'm crazy.

I had one line with squirrel chew causing a leak. As I was fixing it, there was some ruckus in the tree tops and then something slammed in the ground next to me. It was a squirrel. It didn't survive. There was another one in the top of the tree, so maybe a fight or overzealous mating attempt? I've seen many fall during deer hunting, but never die on impact. That was wild.

[gatzow]

Near Holy Hill in Erin. Put in some test taps yesterday. one of 10 gave a half gallon. Others dry. Will watch to see what happens. planning on around 150 taps this year. Also heard back from Bourbon store in Neenah that they found some 15 gallon barrels for this year. Thought I would share in case anyone wants to make bourbon barrel aged. goal for 50 gallons of syrup. Need to beat the squirells... They really messed with my bags last year. Can't be replacing 150 bags every day..... expensive and too much work. Plannning on cleaning up the storage tank and evaporator on Sunday and its game on!!

[Super Sapper]

Put in 250 taps yesterday. There were a few that dripped when I drilled but not much. I will finish tapping that woods today and start the Surflow pumps to check for leaks. I will tap the other woods (50 taps) and yard trees this weekend. There was a tractor in the field behind the house yesterday afternoon and not sinking in, so there is still a lot a frost left.