Maple Sap 2026

It took awhile before the sap really started flowing but the weather warmed up for a week and collected approximately 46 gallons of sap in a weeks time.  I also had 10 gallons from before that which I was able to keep from spoiling as the weather was cold enough that the sap mostly stayed frozen.  Frozen sap will keep indefinitely, as long as it does not pickup odors, roughly two weeks if temps are fluctuating around freezing, at refrigeration temperatures only 5-7 days, and only 72 hours at temps above 50 degrees.

This year we tapped the trees on February 8, 2026 which was a bit early.  However, it has been my experience that there is no harm in doing it early and it also guarantees that we will get some of the first sap.  It seems that early flow is higher in sugar content also there is always a risk, that if it warms up early, the trees will bud and then the sap won't be usable for syrup production.   The sap becomes bitter, cloudy and/or yellow and therefore is known as buddy sap.

As time allows I will be adding to this equipment list, but thought it helpful to start documenting for those who are curious.