Mid-Wis Maple, Day 26

Snow on the ground meant nephew Joe could burn a trash pile without getting a permit. By the time we got down there with the tractor, and it shoved into a reasonable pile...


...the snow had mostly melted, but he figured "close enough" and lit it off.


It smoldered for a while; after we left he found some oil-soaked sawdust to use as an accelerant, and reported it all consumed.


As long as we were down there, we collected some more box elder sap (some frozen chunks in the pails) and got that heating.


Then went back into the woods, where the sap had finally been running, enough so that it made sense to use the collecting tubs and pump it back to the bulk tank...


...still quite full of ice from the last gathering.


There was enough liquid to top up the cook pan and put a fire under it. We may finally get some maple syrup!



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