The length of season will depend on that alternating freeze–thaw cycle necessary for sap flow. Since it is so early in the winter, there is a good chance that the weather conditions will change and get colder and the sap may stop flowing—only to return when the ideal conditions present.
Sap should flow if the conditions are right in the months of February, March, and April. Taps should remain viable throughout the season if proper care was taken during the installation process. If taps “heal over” during the season it is typically a sign of the presence of bacteria and the tree will attempt to prevent the microbes from entering by sealing off the wound (tap hole).
In terms of tapping more trees, that is up to you. As we said above, the conditions for sap flow may not be consistent for the rest of the season as temperatures can drop given the Minnesota winters. Some experts encourage producers to avoid tapping too early during a warming cycle early in the season for what might be a short run and small amount of sap. You could look at the extended forecast and base your decision on what the temperatures look like in the coming week or two.
Hi Allan,
The length of season will depend on that alternating freeze–thaw cycle necessary for sap flow. Since it is so early in the winter, there is a good chance that the weather conditions will change and get colder and the sap may stop flowing—only to return when the ideal conditions present.
Sap should flow if the conditions are right in the months of February, March, and April. Taps should remain viable throughout the season if proper care was taken during the installation process. If taps “heal over” during the season it is typically a sign of the presence of bacteria and the tree will attempt to prevent the microbes from entering by sealing off the wound (tap hole).
In terms of tapping more trees, that is up to you. As we said above, the conditions for sap flow may not be consistent for the rest of the season as temperatures can drop given the Minnesota winters. Some experts encourage producers to avoid tapping too early during a warming cycle early in the season for what might be a short run and small amount of sap. You could look at the extended forecast and base your decision on what the temperatures look like in the coming week or two.