Tapping young Trees - < 10"

[sniperdodo]

My son asked me today while we were tapping why we couldn't tap the 6"-9" trees. I told him because they have to be 10". He continued to ask what the difference is between a 9" and a 10", but I couldn't give him an explanation. I spent at least 3 hours on the internet trying to get the science behind the decision. Truth is, I couldn't find a scientific explanation for him so I am hoping you guys can help me out? (dam kids)

[Toblerone]

I don't know of the science behind it, or even if it needs to be explained using the rigors of science, but my guess would be that the ratio of wound size versus size of sap wood would be too high to make the practice sustainable. That is, it would probably really harm the tree to essentially remove so much of it's sap transport system. As I understand it, after a taphole heals, the wood around the taphole is permanently unusable to the tree. The other reason is that you'd probably not get enough sap from such a small tree to make it worthwhile.

[adk1]

I dont know if there is, other than there needs to be a standard practice. the NA Maple Producers Manual discusses it quite a bit, but I cant remember if they actually have a reason as to why 10" is the standard.
I plan on tapping 8-9" trees cause I have some of them and if I dont I wouldnt have enough to be worthwhile.

[cncaboose]

Some smaller trees don't give enough sap to make tapping worthwhile, but some do great. Then again some of the bigger ones vary a lot too. Having said that, I tap with 5/16" treesaver taps when they are 8+" as long as they are healthy. The young trees heal in one growing season every time. You will still have some that you wonder why you are bothering to check the bucket.

[adk1]

yes that is true, all depends on the tree. an 8" dia dbh tree, or a pole sized tree as they are refered to are very vigerous and are growing. I dont know if I would tap them with a 7/16" bit but I paln on going all 5/16" so I will

[DrTimPerkins]

My son asked me today while we were tapping why we couldn't tap the 6"-9" trees. I told him because they have to be 10". He continued to ask what the difference is between a 9" and a 10", but I couldn't give him an explanation. I spent at least 3 hours on the internet trying to get the science behind the decision. Truth is, I couldn't find a scientific explanation for him so I am hoping you guys can help me out? (dam kids)

The thought behind diameter limits on tapping is based upon sustainable tapping principles. The idea is that you never want to "remove" a volume of wood from being functional (which includes both the taphole and the stained wood area inside the tree), than the tree can readily grow back during the summer. As long as you do that, tapping is considered "sustainable". If you exceed that rate of wood "removal", the tree will eventually become almost entirely compartmentalized and there will be little sound wood to tap into.

Tapping small (<10") trees isn't always bad. Some folks practice what is called thinning with a tapping bit. The theory behind that is that the trees will be removed during thinning, so why not tap them until that point. This is probably OK....as long as it doesn't cause people to NOT thin. By thinning your woods (crop tree release), you are allowing the trees to grow. There is a good correlation between tree growth rate and sap yield.

[sniperdodo]

Thanks for the great answers guys, I should be able to give my son a fair answer now. Now that his maple curiosity is taken care of I gues the "birds and bees" will be next :emb:. Any volunteers for that one

[johnallin]

...do not tap anything until she is 21...

[collinsmapleman2012]

Thanks for the great answers guys, I should be able to give my son a fair answer now. Now that his maple curiosity is taken care of I gues the "birds and bees" will be next :emb:. Any volunteers for that one

...not to volunteer anyone... have heard of those being given by doctors....:twisted::D lol just kidding

[moeh1]

So grab some thumb tacks and go check out a couple different diameter trees with him. Let him put the tacks where he would be tapping each of the next several years and see the difference the diameter really makes.
No tappin til 21 - good one John!

Marty

[sniperdodo]

"...do not tap anything until she is 21... "

:lol: up here in Canada she only has to be 18