When to Tap the Trees?

This season is starting-off with some 'quirky' temps forecasted the next few days for how early we are in the year. We've opted to 'wait it out' and 'not tap yet.'  We may miss a few days of activity by waiting, but we're waiting for two reasons: 1) if you tap too early, the end result can be a shorter season because the trees may heal-up before the season is finished and 2) if we tap now and begin cooking, it looks like a cold spell is right around the corner which means we'd have to drain the pan to avoid damage by a hard freeze.  So.....stay tuned!