The Official 2010 Maple Syrup Thread.

StephanieH · #**141** 03/10/10, 12:56 PM

We had so much fun! We tapped 9 trees and in 3 days got 40 gallons. I cooked it down all day Sat & Sun in turkey fryers...23 hours! But in the end we got a tad over a gallon!

Cashs Cowgirl · #**142** 03/10/10, 12:58 PM

I would love some syrup in a gallon plastic jug....I think I bought from Maz before. I couldn't last year as I had wanted, but this year, I'm dying for it and have saved the money aside, lol! I hated buying the icky fake junk!

Forerunner · #**143** 03/10/10, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

Are you rebel lemming's husband? How much syrup do you guys make every year?

I dont know what kind of maples I have, but I get 2 gallons per day on the days that we have a good freeze/thaw

I am the Rebel's hubster.

We make all the syrup we can.....
Average has been 50-60 gallons per year.
Last year we made 113. Would have been more than that, but the river ran us out of the bottom in a big way. I add to my taps and buckets every year.
I approach syrup the way I do compost.....there may be such a thing as enough.....but you can never have too much.

stirfamily · #**144** 03/10/10, 05:39 PM

It's been up in the 60's here and then highs are supposed to fall back to the mid 40's with lows in the upper 30's next week. So I am pulling taps tomorrow. Boiled down our last batch of sap today. All total we made 1 3/4 gallons of syrup this year 1 quart more than last year. That's enough for DH and me and to share with family. Already have 2 new trees staked out for next spring.
Karen in NE Indiana

Maggie · #**145** 03/10/10, 08:03 PM

So, the weather here was unbelievably warm and we tapped our maple trees Sunday. The problem now is that the night temps. are NOT getting below freezing. According to the extended weather forecast, we should be getting freezing temps. starting Monday night. My question is: do we leave the taps in the trees? One thing learned with maple syruping...it's always a guess

. Thanks for any ideas!

Forerunner · #**146** 03/10/10, 08:13 PM

Yes. Leave the taps.
The hole will begin to seal itself over in roughly 6-8 weeks.
You're season likely won't last anywhere near that long, but the hole will be good for the duration.

deaconjim · #**147** 03/10/10, 08:19 PM

Don't you just hate it when you first get that hint of a scent that says you've left the syrup on too long?

Forerunner · #**148** 03/10/10, 08:22 PM

There aren't many similar opportunities in life to feel such gut-wrenching disappointment.
I know the feeling all too well and have not had it strike for two years running.

*crosses fingers*

deaconjim · #**149** 03/10/10, 08:28 PM

Second year in a row. You'd think I would learn.

stanb999 · #**150** 03/11/10, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaconjim

Second year in a row. You'd think I would learn.

Yeah, you think it's boiling real well...

Nice steam coming off. Then the "steam" turns yellow.

Mistyf · #**151** 03/14/10, 11:24 AM

How do you remove your taps without damaging the tree. My season is clearly over, and since this is my first year, I can't figure out how to get the taps out. They won't budge, and I don't want to hurt the tree trying to get them out. Every instruction that I read tells you how to tap, but not how to remove.

Forerunner · #**152** 03/14/10, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistyf

How do you remove your taps without damaging the tree. My season is clearly over, and since this is my first year, I can't figure out how to get the taps out. They won't budge, and I don't want to hurt the tree trying to get them out. Every instruction that I read tells you how to tap, but not how to remove.

Use a claw hammer to gently pry them out.

Or... use a heavy pliers, get a firm hold right where the spile enters the tree and gently work the spile back and forth, even twisting a little, until it slides out. It's hard to hurt the tree, but some spiles are brittle and all should be treated as gently as possible.

Mistyf · #**153** 03/14/10, 12:14 PM

Thank you Forerunner! I just got them out. You're right, I just needed to twist a little, and they started to slide right out.

**Kris in MI** · #**154** 03/14/10, 06:50 PM

Well, from my six taps I got about 14 gallons of sap in roughly a week before the weather jumped too high.

Boiled it all down, and now have 2.75 pints of the most yummy syrup I've ever tasted.

Planning to get out in my woods this summer and identify more maples; I only tapped the two I could identify without a doubt last month.

**Kris in MI** · #**155** 03/14/10, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rose2005

You'll never buy store bought syrup now!

That's what my kids said this morning when we had our fresh syrup over french toast.

michiganfarmer · #**156** 03/15/10, 01:29 PM

if these warm temps keep up the leaf buds are going to open, and we will be done.

It isn't freezing at night. I Might not make much this year.

seedspreader · #**157** 03/15/10, 10:55 PM

Yup, weird year here.

upnorthlady · #**158** 03/16/10, 08:25 AM

Up here in northern MN we are finally getting to tap our maples. Last evening we were putting in taps and the trumpeter swans were honking, the coyotes were howling and the owls were hooting. My 10 barn cats were following us in the woods frolicking and running up and down trees. Life just doesn't get any better than this! The season is still early here. Last year we tapped 97 trees and got almost 11 gallons of finished syrup. This year we hope to tap 250 trees and make "tons" of syrup!

Fishgill · #**159** 03/16/10, 03:32 PM

It's been a short season here in MA.. This is my second year sugaring. The warm weather has been a bummer. I was able to make 1 3/4 gallons for myself. I guess I'll have to make that do. I was hoping for 5-6. Oh well. You can't fight mother nature. There's always next year.

Happy7Farm · #**160** 03/16/10, 05:32 PM

We made enough syrup to sell some if anyone is interested. We are selling it for $10 a pint and $18 a quart plus shipping. The syrup is a medium amber I'd say, but not dark.
We have 13 quarts available.