It may be hard to believe on this cold morning (it is a mere 9 degrees out right now), but if you are observant while you are out and about today, you may catch sight of some tapped maple trees, buckets at the ready. At our own backyard, all-volunteer maple sugaring operation, a small crowd of tappers hung 105 buckets this weekend, with more buckets to be hung over the coming week. They report that a few drops of sap were already plinking into the buckets yesterday, but that will all change this coming week, as temps climb well above freezing during the days and the sap starts to flow in earnest. As weather-dependent activities go, maple sugaring is one of the most sensitive - a long run of above freezing temps during the day and below freezing temps at night is ideal. Last year's conditions were about as perfect as one could expect, resulting in a bumper year for maple sugar production. Whatever this year brings, our neighborhood maple sugar house is getting ready. In addition to hanging buckets, they are setting up tables and shelving, splitting firewood, and washing everything - buckets and lids, surfaces, and equipment. Fortunately, there are plenty of volunteers to take on the work and usher in one of the most definitive signs of spring in New England.
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