OK gang, I started this last year and will again. With some free time on this beautiful Adirondack afternoon and a few days of 40's in the forecast for the Lake George area, I couldn't resist strapping on the snowshoes and setting out my ten little taps. One tree started dripping like a leaky faucet and a few others looked ready to go. If it runs this week, I'll boil over the weekend. I know some of you have some real serious operations compared to mine and we had some good discussion last year. If the long-range forecast holds, we could have a good run in this area the rest of February. Good luck everyone!
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Maple Sap 2018
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Good luck and have fun Buck; I use to make between 70 and 140 gallons of syrup and had a riot doing it even with the hard work involved, thanks to good friends. That was with a full sized wood fired arch.
I also made as few two or three gallons with a stainless steel keg cut lengthwise and hinged.
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I put out our 40 taps on Wednesday, collected only about 21 gallons on Thursday, won't boil till next week but it looks like it could be flowing nicely then since we're going to have 4-5 days of above freezing temperatures. I don't boil till we have 30 or 40 gallons, we just have a little 2x4 homemade evaporator that I bought at an auction for $60 several years ago. If I start the fire at 6 AM and burn till 10 PM I can sometimes boil off 60 or 70 gallons if the humidity isn't too high.
Zach
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Update: Have had three boils so far, each on of 5-10 gallons of sap. It's been running good and I've made two quarts of syrup so far, which is good for my wife and I. One of my neighbors boiled 70 gallons last Sunday and the other boiled 30 on Tuesday. Going to strap on the snowshoes and check the buckets today.Life's short, hunt hard!
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Don’t forget the next 2 weekends are Designated Maple Weekends. Many sugar bushes are open to the public in Lewis County and other places around the state. It’ fun to tour these operations and see these modern set ups.
Also, the Maple Museum in Croghan host pancake breakfasts March 17 & 18, and 24 & 25.
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I've had 6 boils so far, from 35 to 60 gallons, but the sugar content has been lower than some years so when I boil off 50 or 60 gallons we're only getting a gallon and a pint or so each time. So far we're a bit over 6 gallons total for the year, heading for 10 if possible. Firewood is down to a third or less remaining in the sugar house, but I've got extra in other places that I can use if needed, I'll just have to cut it in half to be short enough to go in the evaporator firebox.
Zach
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Checked the taps today. Despite the cold, I've actually had some sap running pretty good in a few trees but the ones that have been big producers up to this point have dropped off. After Tuesday, the forecast looks promising.Life's short, hunt hard!
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I think things are winding down in my area (Lake George). Out of ten taps, only a few trees are producing and the temps are expected to stay above freezing most nights this week. I had a good run for my little operation, especially in early March. I'm set for the year!Life's short, hunt hard!
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