Submitted by beyond_hatred t3_10o7q8a in newhampshire
When is everyone tapping their trees this year? This year feels odd weather-wise, and I only have one season of experience making syrup.
Comments
beyond_hatred OP t1_j6cz1v8 wrote
To me it's been feeling like that over the past couple weeks, but maybe it will get really cold again in February.
Outrageous_Egg8672 t1_j6dbcqm wrote
I'm waiting too. Sure the temps are higher now, but we have some cold weather ahead still and I would prefer to be boiling on those clear sunny March days.
Automatic-Raspberry3 t1_j6d3gex wrote
It’s running now. But I’m way behind. This week is woods work then I’ll probably start tapping. But I’m on high vac so I could have tapped in dec.
beyond_hatred OP t1_j6d8o0g wrote
> But I’m on high vac so I could have tapped in dec.
I didn't know that was possible, and I actually took a syrup course in college.
Automatic-Raspberry3 t1_j6d94y8 wrote
How long ago was that? Closed loop system greatly reduce bacteria getting into the tap hole so they don’t dry up.
beyond_hatred OP t1_j6d9x0l wrote
A long time, but we were using plastic lines then. No vacuum other than that created by gravity.
Automatic-Raspberry3 t1_j6daase wrote
Vac is pretty common now. Most mid size guys are running it. It’s the best and most annoying thing. Especially at thd start fixing leaks. But pays off in the long run.
kaje36 t1_j6d4rrs wrote
Normally early to mid February, but i am down south on 101.
beyond_hatred OP t1_j6d8jd9 wrote
I'm in southern NH too, so I'll probably do it in early Feb unless it's too cold.
Viking603 t1_j6hs88a wrote
Tap now. I'm South of Manch and tapped two weeks ago and started getting sap right away.
[deleted] t1_j6eiykc wrote
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akcattleco t1_j6f28ti wrote
Any one around Moultonborough willing to give lessons? I would gladly pay. I have Maples on my property, I believe they are black maples, but I'm no tree expert, I know some have been tapped before from the previous owner.
Automatic-Raspberry3 t1_j6fl140 wrote
Tapping is the easy part. Figure out how you are going to store and boil sap before you drill. Figure a gal of sap per tap per run day.
comefromawayfan2022 t1_j6hnd0x wrote
Are you on Facebook? You could make a post on the moultonborough fb page asking. Also I know one of the fish and game conservation officers runs a maple sugaring stand out of wolfeboro. Next time it's open you could stop by and ask if they know of anyone
akcattleco t1_j6hu84n wrote
I don't use Facebook but thank you for this info.
HenryV1598 t1_j6gi20c wrote
I've never done it before, but it looks like a fairly simple process (correct me if I'm wrong). Does anyone have any recommendations for where to get taps and other supplies?
beyond_hatred OP t1_j6hchjh wrote
It's not difficult to do on a small scale, just time and energy intensive.
Last year County Stores in Milford had maple sugar supplies, and so did Tractor Supply.
HenryV1598 t1_j6iiqei wrote
Thanks!
Viking603 t1_j6hryah wrote
I tapped two weeks ago. Because temps were mostly above 40° and below freezing at night. My 3 trees are giving me at least 1/2 gallon of sap per week. Yesterday and Saturday they gave me that much each day.
ETA: clarification
beyond_hatred OP t1_j6hs6n3 wrote
A half gallon of finished syrup? That's excellent.
Viking603 t1_j6hstgj wrote
No. 1/2 gallon of sap. You tap to get the sap. Then either boil it down or run sap through a RO system to reduce water content and then boil.
RO = reverse osmosis
I bought the small one here before tapping last year, http://robucket.com/
beyond_hatred OP t1_j6hu9ye wrote
That's really interesting. I probably got a half gallon syrup for the whole season last year from my two trees. One of them is Norway maple so it's not nearly as useful as a sugar maple. I freeze concentrated my sap last year. Not nearly as efficient as a RO machine but the price was right. I just put the pails out on the deck overnight.
Viking603 t1_j6hv3l2 wrote
I have 3 red maples and store the sap in the beer fridge until it's that fridge is full, then process and boil. IIRC last year's made 4 1/2 pints.
Jacobzdad t1_j6cy7o2 wrote
End of February for me. I only tap a few trees and make small batches for myself. Basically I wait for the temperature to be above 40° during the day and below 32° at night.