Our unusual weather conditions during March have surprised and intrigued meteorologists and naturalists alike.  The ice on Whaletail Lake went out on March 5th, the earliest we have recorded.  Five days later, the lake froze over again when Arctic weather descended upon us. The sap flow ceased and didn't restart for 13 days! Today, the lake ice vanished for the second time. I make no predictions about the lake - or the weather!

With the recent warmup, the trees have responded with sap flows of over 2 gallons per tap on the last 2 "runs"! We consider this to be a great flow, - normally, we might get 1/2-1 gallon of sap/tap. We are on pace for setting a new, all time high in maple syrup yield!

Our sap remains at 2.5% sugar, which is average for our sugarbush. This translate to 34 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.  The quality of the finished syrup has been outstanding, with rich amber color and unmistakable smooth maple flavor that lingers on the palate (if you let it linger!)

We  are excited for our busy day tomorrow, anticipating record syrup production, as we have over 2000 gallons of sap to process.!

2/12/2017: Earliest Sap Ever! This is a full week earlier than 2016 and in our 25 year history of Somerskogen Sugarbush!

2/17/2017: Earliest First Boil, resulting in 15 gallons of Grade A Rich Amber maple syrup. The sugar content of the sap has averaged 2.45%, translating into approximately 35 gallons of sap for one gallon of maple syrup.

The record breaking temperatures have remained above freezing for several days, with highs in the upper 50's to low 60. The sap flows have been reduced accordingly and we eagerly wait for a hard freeze. We are hopeful that the predicted cold front with snow to our south will stimulate sap flow.

• This
  Afternoon

  

  Mostly Sunny

  High: 60 °F

• Tonight
  
  

  

  Partly Cloudy

  Low: 40 °F

• Wednesday
  
  

  

  Partly Sunny

  High: 58 °F

• Wednesday
  Night

  

  Mostly Cloudy

  Low: 33 °F

• Thursday
  
  

  

  Mostly Cloudy
  then Chance
  Rain

  High: 41 °F

• Thursday
  Night

  

  Rain/Snow and
  Patchy
  Blowing Snow

  Low: 27 °F

• Friday
  
  

  

  Snow and
  Patchy
  Blowing Snow

  High: 31 °F

• Friday
  Night

  

  Chance Snow
  and Blustery

  Low: 17 °F

• Saturday
  
  

  

  Mostly Sunny

  High: 28 °F

We've just experienced the longest and warmest January thaw since 1992. Having 9 straight days with temperatures above freezing has triggered the urge to begin preparations for the 2017 maple syrup season.

Peter and I traveled to the International Maple Syrup meeting this past October in Burlington, VT., along with other sugar makers from the US and Canada.  Over 400 people attended, representing 19 states and 5 Canadian provinces. We participated in scientific sessions on maple research and are incorporating many of the findings into our maple operation.

Research shows one of the key determinants of premature tap hole closure during the season is contamination of the spiles (the spout placed in the taphole) or tubing used in the collection process.  Studies have compared reusing spiles versus new spiles, and/or replacing portions of tubing over time.  Based on this, we completed the full replacement of over 1,000 droplines and spiles. The droplines are the 3 foot pieces of tubing from the tap hole to the lateral collecting line.

We are excited to tell you of another major innovation of our new "high vacuum" pump which will come on line in the next few weeks. Check back for another update!