When Should I Tap My Trees?

“Should I Tap My Trees Yet?”

We get it—deciding when to tap can feel like a big decision. But the video above, covers everything you may want to consider. We encourage you to trust your own judgement and make a decision based on the long range forecast, and your own schedule/situation.

So When’s the Right Time?

The classic rule of thumb is simple: look for a stretch of days where it’s above freezing during the day and below freezing at night. That’s when sap typically starts to flow.

Alternatively, if you tap your trees “early” – perhaps during a short, abnormal warm-up in the weather – you may encounter a few unexpected results. For example, if there’s still frost deep in the ground, the trees may not quite be “awake” yet, or the sap my have a lower sugar content than normal.

What If I Tap Too Early?

Honestly? It’s not the end of the world. You might get a small sap run, lower sugar content, or maybe nothing at all—but you’ll learn something. If you’re feeling curious or just eager to get started, tap a test tree and see what happens. It won’t hurt anything.

Basing Your Timing on the Calendar

In Northeast Wisconsin, it is typical to tap in early to mid-March. However, it is possible for anomalies to occur, shifting the timing on any given year. For example, on March 7, 2020, the weather hit a surprising 83°F in Wisconsin [Video Here], and that was the end of our maple season. Some Springs warm up quicker than others. Mother Nature likes to keep us on our toes.

It is valuable to take into account the traditional tapping time for your region, but most important to be mindful of current weather trends. We encourage you to tune into your local long range weather forecast. And when the weather looks favorable for an extended period, go for it.

Please Trust Your Own Judgement

We totally understand the urge to double-check—tapping is an exciting part of the season! While we wish we could chat with everyone individually on this topic, we at Smoky Lake really need to prioritize getting our customers’ orders out the door. This article/video allows us to give you the most thoughtful response during our busiest time of year. There’s no need to wait for a call back from us! Trust your own judgement.

So go ahead. Tap a tree. Trust your judgement. And thank you for helping us stay focused during this busy season!