The old sugar maples are starting to flow real good now. It's my first year trying this out. (being retired & all, just something to get me back in the woods!) One thing I learned... Must get more wood for next year. Propane cost just a little more. With that forty to one ratio, plenty of boiling is needed. But the sweet taste... WOW, it's all worth it!!
SUGARTIME !
- Thread starter Ron L
- Start date
John *.?-!.* cub owner
501 Club
I had an Uncle that since he retired had been tapping the trees on the family farm, and making syrup for him and the family. sure was good. Unfortunately he died a few weeks ago, and no one else in the family is both capable and willing to continume with the tradition.
John, my condolences to you and you family on the passing of your uncle.
Ron, my father in law ( 79 YO) taps over 100 trees just above his house. He supplys his kids ( and sons in law
) with syrup, I always look forward to this time of year, another sure sign that spring is just around the corner!! Our season is a little later than yours, probly close to a month later, but my wife just told me he was tapping today!! Yipee!! 
YUMMY!!!
Ron, my father in law ( 79 YO) taps over 100 trees just above his house. He supplys his kids ( and sons in law
) with syrup, I always look forward to this time of year, another sure sign that spring is just around the corner!! Our season is a little later than yours, probly close to a month later, but my wife just told me he was tapping today!! Yipee!! YUMMY!!!I have been doing the sugaring thing since I was 15 or so, then last year I built a sugar shack bought a evaporator and a few more buckets. I tap about 250 trees, it worked very well, I made about 2200 dollars and I was very pleased with the way it worked. This is what I used to buy my next tractor with!! Then in sept that !@#$%^&* hurricane Juan hit. It destroyed 80% of me sugar woods. So needless to say, I will not be doing it this year. I have another lot I can go to next year but I have to do some thinning and cleaning it up this spring first. I go to the woods every day and see the sap starting on the trees that broke off during Juan. It makes me very dissapointed. 
Scotty: You should get a few books on sugaring to start educating yourself on the process. It's not that difficult for a small operation. Lots of fun and satisfaction.
Maritimer: Sounds like you had a pretty large operation going there. Too bad with that hurricane.
I'm still in the learning process. On the few real good days I've had, I didn't get to bed till about 3 AM. Something I hadn't thought of before hand! I see myself doing some summer projects to get ready and more efficient for next year.
Maritimer: Sounds like you had a pretty large operation going there. Too bad with that hurricane.
I'm still in the learning process. On the few real good days I've had, I didn't get to bed till about 3 AM. Something I hadn't thought of before hand! I see myself doing some summer projects to get ready and more efficient for next year.