The 2006 Maple Syrup Season
The 2006 season started with a wet snow storm on February 4. We tapped that day under some of the most rugged conditions I can remember. The snow hung heavily on the smaller trees and frequently fell on us while we were busy tapping, including some “accidentally on purpose” snow showers when trees were shaken. Maple syrup making is hard work, but we have many fun times too.
The tapping was finished on February 12, which is the second latest tapping date since 1983 (the latest date was February 20, sometime in the mid-80’s). A pretty good sap run of about 9,000 gallons followed, which made around 180 gallons of syrup. Then a great cold front came through which froze everything like a brick (following 60 degree weather and a thunderstorm). Starting February 23 through at least March 3rd the forecast is for great sap weather.
After such a warm January, why are we even getting sap? I believe we had an above average growing season with great rainfall last August. Then, December was cold for an extended period; therefore, the trees were frozen. Apparently, January was not warm enough to thaw them and now there are enough cold and freeze/thaw cycles for the trees to run sap. It looks like we will have an above average season at the time of this writing.
We took advantage of the warm January and did some short sleeve building, including a much appreciated work day (the second one) by the Bunker Hill Youth Group, which enabled the new dining area to be ready for the festival. Thanks also to the other helpers who have worked so hard to get ready for the sugaring season and festival. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!!!
Added note – 2/28 - On the Sunday of the first weekend of the festival the morning temperature was 16 degrees F, which set up perhaps the last good sap run of the season for the following Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday night’s temperatures were in the mid 40’s and the forecast for Wednesday is for the highs to be in the 70’s. Without a freeze Tuesday night the sap will not flow on Wednesday. Unless there is another cold snap we will start pulling up our lines and cleaning up around March 8. It looks like we will make around 450 gallons of syrup from over 20,000 gallons of sap, which is a less than average crop. Considering the warm January weather, we are very thankful to make any syrup at all.
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