First Syrup Batch

Finally finished off the first batch of maple syrup--about 6 gallons.  The sap ran well yesterday and today and we have about 200 gallons on hand that we began cooking for the second batch after taking off the first one this evening. 

Probably one more day of sap running and then it will be too warm and possibly be the end of the season.  We have 75 taps out and in an average year, we should get 75 quarts of syrup (or about 15 gallons).  We started a little late due to the heavy snow so if we get one more day of sap, I would say we would be just under an average year for syrup. 

Although there is still a lot of snow on the ground, it is melting fast and quite muddy and slippery in the woods.  For whatever reason, we have found that sap runs great after a late spring snow. 

Silver Maple budded out.  Sugar maples are very late to bud, but when they do, the flavor changes and syrup season is over.