Syrup season is exceptionally early around St. Paul, MN this year. Normally I tap trees in early March. This year I tapped January 31! By February 5 I've collected 25 gallons of sap already from 14 trees (combination of hard maple, red maple and silver maple - mostly silver). With such an early start, how long of a season is possible? If I have multiple freezing to 40s days throughout February, March and mid-April, can I continue producing or will my taps "heal over in place"? I've only placed 1 tap in my neighbors' large trees and multiple in one of mine. Should I wait to place more in my neighbors' trees, or place more now?
Syrup season is exceptionally early around St. Paul, MN this year. Normally I tap trees in early March. This year I tapped January 31! By February 5 I've collected 25 gallons of sap already from 14 trees (combination of hard maple, red maple and silver maple - mostly silver). With such an early start, how long of a season is possible? If I have multiple freezing to 40s days throughout February, March and mid-April, can I continue producing or will my taps "heal over in place"? I've only placed 1 tap in my neighbors' large trees and multiple in one of mine. Should I wait to place more in my neighbors' trees, or place more now?