maple syrup

[Nymph]

The flow is going. I had smaller trees producing but now the big trees have started.

[mcgarth]

well we picked up another 700 gallons of sap today. i sure this rain isnt going to happen like they say it is. good luck everyone

[themagicbus]

nothing happening in northern itasca county yet. only put out a handfull so far. just damp pails. after this rain and cold spell maybe things will pick up.

usually only put out about 120 taps, but if you get them into soon the hole starts to heal up and when it does finally run you don't get as much

[mcgarth]

up to about 23 gallons of finished product so far.

[mcgarth]

we are up to 33 gallons of the good stuff now. so how is everyone else doing?

[Nymph]

Just a small timer here. I have some finished product and man is it good. Trees have given up on me I think. My season may be over unless this colder weather we are supposed to get changes things.

[mcgarth]

dont give up the cold weather will help some.its not over until the buds are out.

[MOBY RICHARD*]

A friend of ours in The Cities put one tap out today and so far only a little, he's not sure how far to drill in, and I forget...any rule of thumb???

I still don't have any out yet...should of had 'em out a month ago in the February thaw...

[Comet]

I have 13 trees tapped and about 5 have really producing. They are definitely slowing. I think the others will still start to produce. I have just under 2 gallons of 90% finished product in the freezer. I have read that each tap should produce 10 gallons of sap. as info.

Drill in about 2 inches when tapping the tree. You can google tapping to find out for sure.

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Thanks for the info...

Ok, he only had it drilled in about 3/4", and on the North side...now plugged that hole and drilled new on South side about 2'' and angled up...

With this weather change there should be a little flow left when it warms...

Has anyone tapped in Autumn???

Ok, his tree is starting to flow, he has about a1 pint of sap already, but it is from a Silver Maple and not tasting as good or sweet as a Sugar or Black Maple...

I have Black Maples so now I have to dig out my taps and tubes and get to work...

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Well I finally got a few taps in, and the sap is running strong...very high sugar content too...

Lucky this weather turned back, should get about a weeks run...plenty for me to make a gallon or so...

[mcgarth]

up to 43 gaalons so far.

[hartner62]

Mcgarth,

I decided to try making some syrup this year and so far so good. What determines the color of the finished product? First batch I had turned out a golden color and the second turned out with the darker color. I used the same trees for both batches.

[mcgarth]

you could have gotten rain water in your sap,which means longer boiling time. later in the season you will make a darker syrup. the lighter color the better grade.i hope that helped. no matter light or dark its all better that log cabin

[hartner62]

There was no rain water and the sap was from two consecutive days. Maybe I didn't cook it at the same temp, I don't know. How much longer do you think we have?

[mcgarth]

up to 52 gallons now. we should have until next week. some time next week i think here in the metro the buds will start to pop. but it all depends on the weather.good luck and have fun doing it

[Nymph]

wow 52 gallons.... Thats cool.

I made up some grade A stuff yesterday, Nice golden color.

The trees are running like crazy now.

[doser]

Mine were really producing today. Temp. change helped. I've got about 60 gallons for the week so far and will boil on Sat.

[mcgarth]

we picked up about 700 gallons of sap today,some of our 5 gallon buckets were spilling over.now to get that all boiled down so we can pick up more on saturday.

[mcgarth]

65 gallons were up to

[themagicbus]

put mine out 2 days ago. about a gallon or so in the good producers. others an inch in the bottom of the bucket. things just starting to happen here.

everyone comes out of the woodwork to hang out at the fire when your boiling. but the talkers are thinned out quick when its collection time.

all bag nibbling squirrels must DIE

[mcgarth]

80 gaalons now of the finished product this is starting to turn into work it should be done in the metro this week,i have had almost enough of it this year. fun everyone and keep a hot boil

[mcgarth]

well we made it to 100 gallons this year, this is the first year we made it to the century mark.we are pulling our taps on thursday. it was a great year. now its time to bottle it and rest.

[Nymph]

Great job 100+ gallons has to be a lot of work.

I was happy with my 2 1/2 gallons of finished product.

I am also hanging it up for the year.

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Yep, thats a lot of syrup, great inspiration...

I finally boiled down my first batch this year...I'm up to a measly 2 pints...

It took me awhile to get my technique right again after not tapping for about seven years...now I can go like wildfire...

Then again I only want a gallon or two at most...should make it yet...