Day 1 of Maple Syrup Season: Tips for Tapping Trees Like a Pro

[@BissellMapleFarm]

It's officially maple season! Glad you are putting our long form! It helps all of us Mapletubers out there!

[@MapleFarmer]

Hopefully I can keep with it this season! I tend to get lazy as filming and editing is very time consuming! 😂

[@BissellMapleFarm]

@@MapleFarmer editing partners are the best! Worth it! Priceless!

[@MapleFarmer]

@@BissellMapleFarm maybe someday I’ll be able to afford one! But side note… let’s collab this year!

[@BissellMapleFarm]

@MapleFarmer how about a Sapchat to start? No travel involved. And then when you have a day you aren't tapping, you can video the bottling line running. Sound good? Also, I highly recommend the Paul Bunyan Show for you. I think we would bring the maple syrup dunk tank back! Dunk a maple celeb!

[@randybrenize1114]

Love the genuine authentic content. You’re the best unofficial maple collaborator on the internet. Love your operational transparency

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you so much for following along. I’d love to be the official spokesperson but I don’t think that’s a thing 😂

[@NorleyFamilyFarms]

Great video Nikki! Looking forward to the season and seeing more of your content.

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching! I'm excited for this season too!

[@stanley-rn7xo]

Great to see you back looking forward to another year. You need to get a apparel store set up. I want one of those burgundy, boxer, maple sweatshirts.😊 or hoodies

[@MapleFarmer]

I’ve thought about it but holding Inventory is expensive! Unless o can find someone who can print on demand!

[@Pepperboy555]

Yea you’re back! All is good in the world now.

[@MapleFarmer]

I’m back! I’m excited and have some big goals this year!

[@lyleharkness-rv5vf]

😊 I'm happy to see maple syrup season is kicking off. Looking forward to seeing your videos again this season 👍

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks, I'm excited to get started too!

[@lyleharkness-rv5vf]

@MapleFarmer be careful in the woods, and try to stay warm

[@MapleFarmer]

@@lyleharkness-rv5vf always!

[@ianwalker682]

That snow makes for a beautiful setting to be out there working. The ting ting ting ting ting ting thud of the hammer is a lot more soothing than the creaking of that cracked tree.

[@MapleFarmer]

Right! The creaking is pretty creepy!

[@terencemcmahon6998]

So was that a frost crack in that tree?

[@MapleFarmer]

@@terencemcmahon6998 I’m thinking it may have been from wind? I have no idea! The entirety of the tree was cracked. 😳

[@terencemcmahon6998]

@ Well going back to my arbor classes. Frost crack appear southwest facing side of tree. Warm and cold days cause cracks. 😎

[@terencemcmahon6998]

I enjoy your KZbin page good luck!!

[@williamburns9731]

That split tree was possibly hit by lighting. Great to see your beautiful happy smiling face. From Queensland Australia 🇦🇺 ❤️

[@Ed_in_Md]

Good to see you back in the woods. I bought some from you last year and it’s almost gone. I remembered one of the things you taught us last year about how to know how far to hammer in the tap. I listened to the change in the tone as it hits the bottom of the hole. So proud of myself. 😂

[@MapleFarmer]

Love this!! So glad it helped!

[@paulprigge1209]

Thank you my favorite time of year for this

[@MapleFarmer]

Glad you're here for it!

[@SweetMapleRidge]

Cmon maple season!!!! Thanks for a great video!!!!!! We’re about to head out to our sugar bush this weekend for some maintenance and spout/drop line replacement!!!!

[@MapleFarmer]

That’s awesome! Have a great weekend in the maple woods!

[@tedquaker954]

Great to see you!! Happy New year...hope the "little one" had a awesome/ Merry Christmas!! God Bless

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you! Happy New Year to you too!

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Great video. We missed you for 5 months. Stay warm.

[@MapleFarmer]

I'm glad you're back! I'm excited to share this season with you!

[@coachbowman7979]

Glad you’re back!!

[@MapleFarmer]

Me too! Happy to be back!

[@jamespavliska7011]

Very interesting that you share your family’s story ❤

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you for watching!

[@steveleach7512]

Tapping trees looks like an excellent fitness program.

[@jdpalace3472]

So very nice to see you again!!!!!!

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you!! I’m back!

[@Bigpinehealingfarm]

I just found you, I am putting 100 taps in and using tubing for the first time, so it’s nice to see how you’re doing it. Thanks for the content

[@MapleFarmer]

Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@jackmatthews312]

Thats some sturdy blue tubing. Great video.

[@MapleFarmer]

Yes it is! Lots of trial and error and we found the best stuff that works for us!

[@SSGTMarineE6]

So very good to see you Nikki. Hope this season is a very good one. Looking foreward to following along this season!!!!!

[@jrehtil1494]

Great video and wonderful dissertation

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you for watching!

[@rackets001]

Hiking away from your camera for the content just to have to hike back up for it. 💪

[@MapleFarmer]

That’s the life of a maple producer! Haha luckily the way the tubing is set up you’re always walking back to the mainline, which is where I typically try to clamp my GoPro to, that or a tree branch close to the mainline

[@JoshBarnes-m6s]

Great to see you back. If I’m missing things about being back… sry KZbin just showed me ur new video

[@MapleFarmer]

This is my first video back for the season! I’m going to try to have videos twice a week throughout the season!

[@ekosantoso4342]

Such a beautiful wooden factory

[@MapleFarmer]

I’ve never heard it called a wooden factory before 😂

[@tommmarree3689]

Another great video Nikki!!

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching!

[@JustinPartridge-v3f]

Amazing I hope you have a great tapping year this year for maple syrup I'm actually from New Hampshire too my friend Boomer not used to do a lot of maple syrup he was from Hartford high School I want the school up there I was born and raised in New Hampshire don't know what part of the New Hampshire or Vermont where you at but you have a beautiful area shooting star 1985 shooting star on CB radio live on KZbin worldwide on KZbin CB radio electronics

[@zone4garlicfarm]

It seems early to be tapping trees. March 1 was the traditional day around here (central Maine) before winters started getting warmer and shorter. Now we start in mid February. Tapping more than a couple weeks before the sap starts flowing seems to reduce yields. If you use a vacuum system it might not make as much difference.

[@johnruta2558]

Nikki gd to see your vids again how's lil Owen and brother doing how's the snow up there going

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching! Everyone is doing great, hopefully I’ll have Warren in some videos soon!

[@jonrussell1122]

Nice job on the video. I'm in my 4th season of sugaring. Only did a little over 3 gallons last year. I'm looking to double that this year. Only tap around 30 trees, mostly soft maples, not the hard sugar maples. Thanks again. Midwest Ohio region

[@MapleFarmer]

Thanks for watching! I hope you have a great season!

[@LGTrees]

a little tip for managing flagging- use your propane torch and heat the tip of a nail up- melt a tiny strip down the side of the roll of flagging. They don't unravel on you. Happy tapping!!

[@MapleFarmer]

That's a great trick! But I always keep it in my pocket so it doesn’t really ever unravel, but I can see that being very helpful!

[@vincentcotnoir1356]

Good season ;)

[@MapleFarmer]

We are hoping for a good season!

[@vincentcotnoir1356]

At 6 minutes when you go down the step hill, people don't realize that when you have to do it with snow shoes it's a totaly different game ;) ;) We are not started here yet where I am, but couple of week and it be ;) have fun.

[@MapleFarmer]

I never really show the steep hills because I’m self filming and it’s easier to show the flatter areas! Haha

[@Oldschoolrules123]

I grew up on a dairy farm and the best time I had was snowshoeing in the woods. I still have my snowshoes and they are the thinner 5 foot ones. That was back in the 70s and I didn't do it again until around 2012.

[@markglonek490]

Very informative thank you

[@MapleFarmer]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@WebenHad]

Awesome and I was definitely schooled.. Maybe once ever was I in the forest to see a tree fall.. if you’ve seen it more than once and you spend a lot of time around Maple Trees I’m going to venture to guess the Lightning is more attracted to Maple Trees.. lol .. Good stuff :)

[@edl5074]

That tree must have been struck by lightining and servived ?great work keep it up doing great !!!!

[@MapleFarmer]

I’m not sure what happened to it, but it was strange!

[@popswrench2]

fun to see . i grab 30 - 50 gal just for home use ; spiles and buckets .and yes , labor with buckets in deed and dont have the $$ to get fancier 😊 nothing like real MAPLE syrup .

[@billyscott6644]

I live in Louisiana. No snow here. It’s beautiful where you are. I want to order some syrup. We eat cane syrup here. I want to try Maple syurp

[@MapleFarmer]

We ship! Check out boxlermaple.com

[@jimc7991]

I just tapped 45 Big Leaf maples this weekend, still have about 10 left to do. I wish we had sugar maples in Northwest Washington. I never knew about the branch thing, I'll have to take a look at them. The Cottenwood tree bark looks a lot like Bigleaf Maple bark, I accidently tapped a cottonwood today, realized it as soon as I stepped back.

[@markbrown9838]

Glad you're back! This is probably a silly question but do your lines run down hill to your building or do you have a way to pressurize the lines to keep the syrup moving even if it's uphill?

[@MapleFarmer]

None of our sap runs uphill, all of our tubing is at a slight decline angle and we run a vacuum system.

[@markbrown9838]

​@@MapleFarmer Thanks for the info. Being from Eastern North Carolina I find this process very interesting. I thought the sap may need some help getting to your building.

[@colinvoss8484]

I have found that taps on the south side of the tree run more sap.

[@XRPJohnWayne]

Do deer run into the lines?

[@kbittorf335]

Looks like lightning struck the poor maple last summer. A dangerous tree standing and equally dangerous to take down. Be safe! 👍

[@charlese.prospecting6627]

New sub 👍

[@MapleFarmer]

Awesome thank you for following along! Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll answer them in videos!

[@deanroy8211]

How often does wildlife movement damage your lines?

[@ronaldferino3414]

Good seeing you back. I don't live to far from your area I'm also in western NY south west of you. Dose your brother allow visitors when your boiling, I would like to stop by someday and meet you guy's but understand if you prefer not having strangers showing up.

[@MapleFarmer]

We will be open during maple weekends this year and will hopefully be boiling!

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

All.set😊

[@snowcat09]

Keep two hands on that drill. Wow what a slow process. Carrying a drop tool to put spouts on is ridiculous. But you go, keep up the good work and have a great season

[@TheYeti308]

👣 Let's Go . !

[@scotrussell9577]

YAY!!!

[@MapleFarmer]

I’m back!

[@scotrussell9577]

@@MapleFarmer One of the best times of the whole year is fast upon us. Be careful out there.

[@curtisanderson1830]

thankyou for the video

[@MapleFarmer]

Happy to share the tips! Thanks for watching!

[@johnbucklerfarms]

Good Morning,I’m still enjoying the Syrup from last Season! Do you have to re tap trees Every year?

[@MapleFarmer]

Yes we do!

[@mrwest5552]

Oh, just great - another pretty and gorgeous girl in a youtube channel.

[@Troz84-007]

What about the old hollow, but still very much alive trees?

[@larrywalters6195]

Here at Blue Eye Maple Syrup in Northern Western Pa.About Two Hours from you, off Lake Erie I just got done looking at the weather forcast no warm weather for next Six weeks! my question is why are you tapping so early?

[@MapleFarmer]

Depending on how many taps you have and how much help you have sometimes you have to tap earlier to get them all tapped before sap starts running

[@evanwatson8470]

So i’m watching this on 12 Jan. I understand you have a large maple syrup operation so your prep has to start early. When does the sap start running? I always think of Maple season being late winter early spring.

[@MapleFarmer]

That is correct. Late winter, early spring typically anytime from January - April depending on your location, elevation and weather!

[@evanwatson8470]

@@MapleFarmer Thanks. I’m really not a stranger to Maple Syrup bushes but I guess I had never thought about how early the preparation has to start.

[@MapleFarmer]

@ really depends on the operation, how large it is and how many people they have to help tap trees.

[@TimSpiriti]

I have a couple questions. Are your boots and gloves battery powered for heat? How many trees do you tap in one season and how do you keep the lines from freezing?

[@MapleFarmer]

No battery heated items. Just don’t stop moving and you’ll stay warm. Stop for too long or take your gloves off and instantly freeze. Haha

[@ML-lg4ky]

Yay

[@MapleFarmer]

Here we go!!

[@davidbreman2494]

I'd like to know how many maple trees do you normally tap and how mush syrup do you get I realize you have a short winter season. Please let me know in your next video thank you

[@MapleFarmer]

Not enough! A couple thousand. It’s a very short season typically 4-6 weeks once the sap starts running

[@vieuxjf]

Bonne saison

[@MapleFarmer]

Thank you!

[@terencemcmahon6998]

So at what temp will the sap start running??

[@MapleFarmer]

When temperatures are above freezing during the day!

[@terencemcmahon6998]

@@MapleFarmer Thank you I thought so.

[@terencemcmahon6998]

It must be quite a workout walking from tree to tree in the snow. No gym needed!!! lol

[@tomsheppard9273]

Doesn't a quarter inch taphole SIGNIFICANTLY reduce the sap flow? I'm still drilling 7/16 tapholes. I have heard the 5/16 doesn't reduce the the flow too much.

[@MapleFarmer]

@@tomsheppard9273 we did 6lbs per tap last year…. So what are your thoughts…

[@tomsheppard9273]

@MapleFarmer I consider Boxler Maple the experts! So I'm interested in your experiences in terms of sap flow with 1/4 in. vs 5/16 vs 7/16. Do you think it makes a difference? Is it better for the tree? I've been a backyard maple syrup maker for 35 years and am always trying to learn! And every year I learn more!

[@MapleFarmer]

@@tomsheppard9273 we don’t use 7/16 at all so I cant comment on that. This year we will be about split between quarter inch and 5/16 spouts. We like smaller spouts to minimize damage to the tree, so we can keep them healthy. We also use vacuum so that also contributes to efficient sap collections. My dad keeps records of sap and sugar content of each load of sap based on the woods. Then he compares them all throughout the season based on their setup, location, elevation , when they were tapped, etc.

[@tomsheppard9273]

@MapleFarmer thank you for all the info!

[@johncaffrey5395]

Where is the little farmer?😂😂😂

[@MapleFarmer]

Staying warm inside!

[@easttnscott7629]

Looks like lightening got that tree that is cracked.

[@vieuxjf]

Quelle grosseur ta mèche? Et de qu’elle fabriquant?

[@MapleFarmer]

I’m not sure what you are referring to

[@vieuxjf]

Combien de taps

[@MapleFarmer]

Not nearly enough! Couple thousand

[@Oldschoolrules123]

I only believe in real Maple syrup. And i have about a gallon on hand .

[@MapleFarmer]

Me too!

[@rjp3427]

Pretty sure that tree was hit by a lightning strike with the way it spiraled down the tree. I used to see that all the time.

[@nooneyouknowhere6148]

Seems early for sugar season.

[@MapleFarmer]

I address this in my video that I’m posting tonight!

[@dannyjardine8828]

It's worse when you go to cut those split trees down.

[@MapleFarmer]

I can imagine. My dad won’t let me run the chainsaw.

[@dannyjardine8828]

@MapleFarmer nothing wrong with that. Just wants to protect you. I still need to set up a time to visit the new Sugar House! I drive by all the time lol.

[@DimasFajar-ns4vb]

keely maryum youtube channel

[@WilliamHawks-m9l]

Hi 👋 good job and I really enjoy seeing you are working and you look awful happy why don’t you put some skis on and put on cross country skiing,my be get the work done faster

[@MapleFarmer]

Haha I don’t think that will work well when traversing down trees, and steep ravines!

[@Vermont_EarthWork]

Good luck this year ... we also had our first tap day on Saturday ( 1/11/2025). Perfect conditions. We are located in Jonson Vermont. How many trees do you tap? We tap just over 10k and also process the sap from a neighbor that has another 7500 taps. Your sugarhouse looks amazing, we are boiling out of our original old sugarhouse but with up to date equipment. We recently started a KZbin channel but don't post much, more for friends and family who live abroad to watch. It's our winter time business that compliments our excavation company we run in the summer months. I hope you have a productive year. 👍 Adams Maple Sugaring kzbin.infou_xPzN_7TYo?si=pkAC0ENBVsvv3MOM

[@MapleFarmer]

My brother just recently quit his full time career at Caterpillar to pursue maple! So stay tuned!