Severe forking

[snag96]

I purchased my property 5 years ago and began making syrup on a small pan over a cinder block arch 2 years ago. Last year I purchased a 2x6 arch and am slowly getting my operation improved. I have been trying to educate myself as much as possible on all the aspects of sugaring. Lately I have been reading alot on sugarbush management. My property has a large old sugarbush that unfortunately hasn't been maintained for many many years. I was reading chapter 5 in the NAMPM and it showed a picture of a maple with severe forking and was "unsuitable" for tapping. I have alot of trees like this. Now, I do plan on tapping them as that is what I have. My question is, with proper thinning can these forked trees be adequately improved or should they gradually be removed for proper tree growth? Thanks.

[dnap63]

I have a few large trees that are forked, 15"-18" diameter each side, I tap them they seem to run as good as any other tree.

[ADKMAPLE]

If they are producers, and there are no other maples coming up in or around them close (30') then keep them going I say. If you are using buckets/sacks on them maybe you should record what your getting. I wouldnt cut them down though otherwise

[maple flats]

I also tap several forked stems. They still make syrup, and they are roadsides so I get a little higher sugar. If I am thinning and a choice of single vs double stem I usually cut the double. But if that is the only thing there the double stays.