2022 maple season

[corydd7]

Ok folks this will be my first year doing maple syrup! Just ten or so trees small scale the first year, hopefully I learn a lot and next year can grow the operation. 

I've read and watched a ton of informative books/videos so I think I'm prepared. 

First question of the year, is it to early to tap? I was going to tap five trees tomorrow but not sure if I'm wasting my time tapping to early?

Next three or four days look ideal but then the temperature drops again.

[Steuben Jerry]

It should be a perfect time for early sap. I was thinking of putting a few taps out but with the snow we have on the ground, I can’t get the quad in the woods yet. Got it buried at the last snowfall, this recent storm is going to take a while.

[Salmon_Run]

Good luck I've never tried tapping trees, but have always been intrigued by the process...

I think another member here make a limited amount of syrup yearly..

[WNYTRPR]

With that weather I’d say get going .You may have trees dry out quicker than if you waited a bit though .

Edited February 8, 2022 by WNYTRPR

[WNYTRPR]

I make  enough for a few years supply and give it away to family/friends .I could expand a bit ,but I already have a enough on my plate .Here was an early test batch from a year or 2 ago.

Edited February 8, 2022 by WNYTRPR

[corydd7]

Well sap is definitely running! Just tapped my first three trees and they are dripping pretty steady. 

[BowmanMike]

It depends on the snow cover and location. Edge of a field or lawn starts earlier than in the woods. If you have more trees than you want to tap just got for it. I see you did already,nice.

[mowin]

Even if you tap early, its common the hole will scar over. Pop the tap and run the drill another 1/8". It will open up.  Large operations have been tapped for a couple week, but they have vacuum systems that keep the hole from closing up.

[greg54]

I look forward to Maple Weekend every year in March. Maple syrup, donuts and even maple hot dogs. Yummy!

[landtracdeerhunter]

My 2020 season was a joy sitting around the evaporator with the aroma of maple steam filling the air. Every jar and a 7 gallon holding container full of sweet goodness,  Some days evaping all day till 2 in the morning. Miss the adventure. Good luck to all in the Maple World.

Edited February 11, 2022 by landtracdeerhunter

[corydd7]

Sap quit running Saturday but so far so good. Eight gallons of sap should make three cups of syrup. Next couple weeks look perfect so this will be a good test boil. 

[G-Man]

Should be running on and off for this week.  Early sap is supposed to be the best...

[landtracdeerhunter]

20 hours ago, G-Man said:

Should be running on and off for this week.  Early sap is supposed to be the best...

Best color. Low sugar content.

[mowin]

2 hours ago, landtracdeerhunter said:

Best color. Low sugar content.

Beginning of the season has highest sugar content, not the lowest.

[corydd7]

Boiled to 219 degrees. My first 2 cups of syrup! Already bought another propane stand and pot lol. I tried some and it's really good but boy is there a disparity in color from the above picture from WNYTRPR.

[Steuben Jerry]

That’s about the color I get this time of year.

This is what I got during an early to mid January thaw a few years ago.

[corydd7]

My buddies were just asking me what makes the color different anyone have an answer? 

One of the trees isn't a sugar does that matter? 

[Steuben Jerry]

3 minutes ago, corydd7 said:

My buddies were just asking me what makes the color different anyone have an answer? 

One of the trees isn't a sugar does that matter? 

Darker and more flavor in the later season.

[corydd7]

10 minutes ago, Steuben Jerry said:

That’s about the color I get this time of year.

This is what I got during an early to mid January thaw a few years ago.

Good info Jerry thanks!

[stubborn1VT]

9 minutes ago, corydd7 said:

My buddies were just asking me what makes the color different anyone have an answer? 

One of the trees isn't a sugar does that matter? 

It's mostly about the number of natural microbes in the sap and how long it takes to boil, but honestly nobody has a definitive answer.

 

[BizCT]

what do you guys do with all this syrup? Not trying to be funny, genuinely curious. I think my house uses 10 tablespoons per year max?

[mowin]

20 minutes ago, corydd7 said:

My buddies were just asking me what makes the color different anyone have an answer? 

One of the trees isn't a sugar does that matter? 

The early sap has more sugar and takes less sap for each gal of syrup made, and less time in the evaporator. As the season progresses, the sap has less sugar content and takes more sap per gal of syrup and a longer cook time resulting in the darker color. 

[mowin]

5 minutes ago, Biz-R-OWorld said:

what do you guys do with all this syrup? Not trying to be funny, genuinely curious. I think my house uses 10 tablespoons per year max?

We use about a gal a yr.  My nephew and his family use about 5 gal a yr. 

[BizCT]

We use about a gal a yr.  My nephew and his family use about 5 gal a yr. 

For what? Pancakes?


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[mowin]

Started tapping today.  Got about 200 in. Another 50 or so to do tomorrow. Thinking about adding a additional mainline and adding another 50+ taps.

The squirrel's did a number on our lateral lines. Used 500' of tubing today to fix all the damage they did. Furry little bastards chewed through not only tubing, but fitting's also.