Maple syrup in 2008?

[Dick Allen]

How has the maple syrup production been this year in the maple tree regions?

[longarm]

Hi Dick,
Can't say for certain but I did trade honey to a guy in Vermont for a gallon of this years first run syrup about 2 weeks ago. It is exceptional. At that time he said the year was looking really great, temperatures were perfect, etc. Met this gent on a pistol forum I frequent.
Dan

[BjornBee]

I spoke to two producers last week. Both said this year is 150% of production from last year and the season still has some time to go. Looks like a VERY good year.

[Michael Palmer]

It depends on where you are. Sugar makers in the Champlain valley are having a pretty good year. One report from Chazy, New York said the sap was sweeter this year, and the sap flow has been good. For the sugar makers in the hills, it's a different story. We just haven't seen much warm weather. Yesterday was our first 50 degree day. The temperatures have been really cold at night...in the single numbers, and then not quite warm enough during the day, or too windy to encourage sap flow.

My skiing buddy has a huge sugar woods that he rents out to an even huger sugar maker. Total of some 20,000+ taps. As of last week, he had only made a quarter of a crop. I've sugared those woods...yarrs ago before I got too big into bees...back in the 70's. We used to make half our crop in March, and half in April. So, they're down significantly. It could change. But if it warms up quickly, and the trees bud, they're all done.

Skiing closes on April 13. :-(( With a foot of snow in my front yard, I think it's coming. I can smell something in the air. Could it be?

[MapMan]

Going gangbusters here - long periods of cold nights and warmer days, with a few 25-30°F tops days, which has drawn out sap collection. Boildown hasn't even darkened yet. I don't collect, only hickories, cherry and oak on my land, but neighbors have a nice setup - only about a 1000 taps, but they get about 100-125 gallons finished, and I help them stoke the fire. $36/gallon here. Last year was one of the worst years for maple syrup in decades, so they are very happy.

MM

[hummingberd]

Been a pretty good year in the south of Maine. Temp ranges are ripe. We have had a few windy days, but only a few...

[nursebee]

I think Warren PA was doing okay when I visited last week. One guy did not have any darker grades (needed for a competition).

[Dick Allen]

Wouldn't you know it! Last season was pretty dismal. I didn't bother travelling back there this season. :(