maple sugaring---after season questions

guineatech · #1 02/24/12, 06:13 PM

Do the taps get removed each year? If so, how do you get them out, and do you plug the hole in the tree with something?

this is our first time tapping trees, and we only did two, just to learn the craft. It isn't looking like I picked a good year to get into it, since we have had no winter. The sap keeps starting and stopping. Half a gallon one day, and just a few cups since then. But I would like to learn the basics, and tap 10-15 trees next year. Any info would be appreciated!

Jan Sears · #2 02/24/12, 07:10 PM

Yes taps must be removed each year. No need to fill holes as they will do it themself. Tap, tap the spiles a few times with a rubber hammer & then pull out. Hope next year is a better one for you.

Helena · #3 02/24/12, 08:12 PM

Do as mentioned on the first post. But, please get yourself a good book on maple syrup making. Helen and Scott Nearing's book on maple syrup making and another real easy book tha has more about homesteading but a good section on maple syrup is Practical Homesteading by John Vivian. also, call your county cooperative extension office. Some times they will actually have "classes" for you to learn at a local farm. good luck..

Tad · #4 02/25/12, 04:51 AM

The first poster had it right on the trees. You don't say where you are but if you are in a colder climate the sap will start and stop a lot. I tap early to take advantage of this. I boil down on my wood heat stove in my house. I got 5 gallons of sap on 4 buckets last week and then it was cold and stopped running so I finished that off. This week I got about 12 gallons and it was in the 20's last night and not going above freezeing for the weekend so I have a chance to get ahead again. People that go at it big time want the sap to run as fast as it can for days on end. Last year I made 2 gallons of syrup over 8 weeks. This was a funny year don't judge by this experience, it is fun to make and oh sooo good!

guineatech · #5 06/09/12, 06:32 PM

next year when we tap again, should we tap the same hole or do you move around on the tree?

We are in coastal Virginia, b/w the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay. We have humid winters that are on the mild side, but the 2011-2012 winter was almost non-existent. Trees started budding out a month early. We left the taps in for 2 months and only got a 1.5 gallons of sap total. I'll try again next year with more taps and armed with more knowledge.

Thanks for the info!

Tad · #6 06/09/12, 08:01 PM

Not in the same hole, never tap directly above or with in 6 inches of another hole is the general rule. Our winter was mild but I had a decent run. Hope your season turns out better, that is about the only reason I can tell myself to be happy when there is a deep snow pack, makes for good sugering!

moeh1 · #7 06/12/12, 05:05 PM

Cornell has a good deal of info on their website also.