I saw on the internet:-)

[Grallert]

I have a question, well two. We tapped a few weeks ago, had a good run and it looks like the warm up we had we might have another weeks or so. My question is can I retap? I saw some where that the taps should be in a bulge or above a root. Does it matter? I'm happy enough with the production but you know, I wouldn't mind more.

[DRoseum]

Don't retap and above roots and under limbs isn't really helpful.

Retapping does far more harm to the tree with negligible yield gains.

[Grallert]

Thank you. Good to know. Fingers crossed for another few days.

[bigschuss]

Best practice is to move the tap hole every year so you can never always be above a root. And yes, no re-tapping.

I'm near you up in Savoy but at 2,000' elevation. My overnight lows have been in the 20's right along so I am still getting good sap flow.

[Grallert]

Yes I remember. I visited your operation last year. Still pushing for a shed, Maybe next year. I did get an evaporator. We're at about 1000' still flowing looks like maybe a good week. Doubled my taps this year to 20.

[berkshires]

Yes I remember. I visited your operation last year. Still pushing for a shed, Maybe next year. I did get an evaporator. We're at about 1000' still flowing looks like maybe a good week. Doubled my taps this year to 20.

I'm not far from you either, though I'm on the East side of the Berkshires in a hill town called Chester. Probably more similar to you, as I'm at about 8 or 900 feet elevation.

GO

[Grallert]

I live in Cummington but am boiling at work in Pittsfield for the second year. Trying to get a sugaring program going on our campus. Might be a bit warm over night the next two days here but cooling off later. I'll keep going until I see buds.

[DanielS.]

I agree with those who said don't re-tap. But I'll elaborate and say, don't pull your taps nor assume they're done when it stops running for a warm week or two. Some of the best yielding years I've had have been after it warms up for a week or so, then a cold-snap hits and the same taps start pouring copious amounts of nice, clear sap again.

All the old-timers would look up and look for live branches with lots of foliage-potential and try to place their tap under them if possible, but I think it's been proven to make little difference. Far more important to make sure you're not too near an old tap hole.

I say that, but I still look up for live branches when I tap. But it's not so much for looking to be under live limbs, it's rather to make sure you're not under dead limbs, because sap flow is often bad/negligible under dead limbs. And it's also preferable not to have a dead limb fall on your head if it can be avoided.

[Grallert]

We're getting that cold snap now. Snow 32 and windy.

[ProBoot]

I'm going to put out another 45 taps this week-end. This will double my current number.

Praying to a good season and overflowing Sap storage for everyone!