Maple Syrup 2019

[Johnmn]

Looks like 2020 is gonna be a crap year for syrup. Anyone planning to tap in the next few weeks??

We won't be tapping trees for quite a while here, Im guessing 6 weeks.

 

[Marshy]

I thought I started seeing buds already. The trees are confused.

 

[Ryan Browne]

Looks like 2020 is gonna be a crap year for syrup. Anyone planning to tap in the next few weeks??

The hardest thing to predict is the future!

That said, I am so happy that we switched to tubing and vacuum and use new check valve spouts every year. It's really great not trying to guess when the best window to tap is. We can weather a warm spell in the middle of the season now, which otherwise would dry up the taps.

The cost of these 3/16 hybrid setups is so low, I think it's a great option for small producers.

 

[Lightning Performance]

Is it worth trying to make some from the old buckets and taps?

It would just be for us. We only use a gallon or two a year. Last jug lasted longer. The good stuff from Jer @ the NY gtg.

 

[beaglebriar]

We won't be tapping trees for quite a while here, Im guessing 6 weeks.

It's been so mild here that there's no frost in the ground. I have doubts that the sugar content will be much at all. I heard that one of the larger local producers was going to tap this week, which is quite early for our area. Just trying to decide what to do... LoL

 

[beaglebriar]

Is it worth trying to make some from the old buckets and taps?

It would just be for us. We only use a gallon or two a year. Last jug lasted longer. The good stuff from Jer @ the NY gtg.

It's enjoyable even if you only make a couple quarts.

 

[Lightning Performance]

It's been so mild here that there's no frost in the ground. I have doubts that the sugar content will be much at all. I heard that one of the larger local producers was going to tap this week, which is quite early for our area. Just trying to decide what to do... LoL

We had five days of frozen surface ground for me to get after logs with the lift. Next week looks like a wash out second half, again. Wtf man...60's....no winter here...no sugar you say?

 

[beaglebriar]

We had five days of frozen surface ground for me to get after logs with the lift. Next week looks like a wash out second half, again. Wtf man...60's....no winter here...no sugar you say?

It's just speculation I'm certainly no expert.

 

[Lightning Performance]

It's just speculation I'm certainly no expert.

So your a Wildcater now, interesting.

 

[Ryan Browne]

The big guys always start tapping way early. If you've got 10-50k taps to drill, you'd better get after it! I know many of them start right after new year's. I actually saw some guys in Canada last year who tapped right after Thanksgiving in 2018 (and started collecting sap) and had sap until the end of April 2019. That's a five month season! I'm sure glad it doesn't last that long for us!

 

[Marshy]

It's been so mild here that there's no frost in the ground. I have doubts that the sugar content will be much at all. I heard that one of the larger local producers was going to tap this week, which is quite early for our area. Just trying to decide what to do... LoL

I heard my neighbor tapping today. Only the top few inches of the ground is frozen. Its finally been cold enough that I'm not breaking through the water/mud with my tractor bring hay up and dumping manure.

 

[Marshy]

Just got word my neighbor got over 3300 taps in and ready to rock.

 

[Agent Smith]

My gf's family here in Northeast Ohio does the maple syrup thing. They make a bourbon maple syrup which is some good stuff

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

I cleaned the sugarhouse and evaporator Saturday. My 9 year old helped me replace drop lines and add a few more trees on 3/16 tubing yesterday.

I'll probably wait till next Saturday, and if the 10-day forecast looks good, go for it. It only takes me an hour or so to put my 30 taps in, so no big deal to wait and time it right.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Today looks like a big run, and then maybe Thursday, and it's cooling down after that. Maybe we'll get a freeze next week, and then it will be better.

 

[beaglebriar]

Today looks like a big run, and then maybe Thursday, and it's cooling down after that. Maybe we'll get a freeze next week, and then it will be better.

Yeah I was just looking at the forecast. Not gonna hurt to wait a week or so. I tap about 50% silver maple so early budding is a little bit of a concern but we'll do what we can. Probably clean everything up this weekend. Should run over to Russell's for supplies soon.

 

[Dustin4185]

Is it worth trying to make some from the old buckets and taps?

It would just be for us. We only use a gallon or two a year. Last jug lasted longer. The good stuff from Jer @ the NY gtg.

A friend taps trees down here in east TN. I am going to get some taps myself and replicate his small evaporator setup.

 

[Dustin4185]

I vote for a 2020 thread. Being a southerner, I enjoy seeing how that liquid gold is made. I sure use my fair share of it since switching to it several years ago.

 

[Ryan Browne]

I done done it.

http://opeforum.com/threads/maple-syrup-2020.19415/