Maple Sugaring in Appalachia: 2024 Season Ends

With the taps only having been out for 3 weeks, the sap flow was incredible that first week, and have diminished very rapidly ever since, despite ideal temperature changes. It could be a range of factors including a long drought that we had this past fall. Most of the trees have completely stopped giving sap, and a few are giving just an insignificant amount. This is only my 6th season down here in north western North Carolina, maple sugaring in Appalachia, so I am still adjusting to expectations that likely differ from that of the north (northern Michigan) where my ancestors have made maple syrup and sugar for generations.
Video Chapters:
00:00 Beginning
00:55 Title
01:19 Chat in the Sugar Shack
05:00 In My Sugar Bush
10:57 Over in Rick's Woods
14:00 Final Thoughts

[@lynnlasley426]

Nice video Corey.

[@devmeistersuperprecision4155]

A very strange season. In Vermont, it’s been to cold during the day. When an ideal day shows up, it’s followed by a freezing day. So I have not had any decent flows yet. Need ideal temps. The draught does affect us. In PA we have seen sugar running at 2.5 percent but with reduced flow. I am thinking about not tapping this year so I can work on a new sugar shack and arch.

[@coreylasley]

Seems to be a really strange season for just about everyone I have talked to who is into maple syrup making. I actually got a little more flow last week, then nothing again, and the temp shifts have been fairly consistent. I cannot put my finger on what is so different from last year to this year, outside of warmer temps in January. I sure hope things get back to normal next year.

[@geoffoutdoors]

VERY tough year to read when to tap. I've had one full week long run this season yet only... It got cold last weekend, trees are JUST starting to reactivate a bit, but not sure if it'll be too much with a late week heatwave into the 50's with no freezing nighttime temps. I tapped initially back on January 26th... Fingers crossed this isn't a dud of a maple season. (NE Ohio here).

[@coreylasley]

Absolutely! It definitely sounds like its being a weird season all over this year. I hope you end up doing much better than I did, and you get a little more out of your season.

[@geoffoutdoors]

@@coreylasley 👍

[@lynnlasley426]

Maybe the drought played a major role?

[@coreylasley]

I think it may be playing a role along with the odd temps we had through January.