Wrong side of tree

[cheesegenie]

My grandfather and father always made sure we made the tap hole
directly below a main limb on the south or west side of the tree. I still
do that. But I have noticed big operators with pipelines etc. with taps
on any side , they would have to follow the lines. Does it make a
difference what side or is this just an old wive's (husband's) tale?

[themapleking]

It doesn't make any differance where you tap the tree. The sap is flowing up from the roots trough the trunk to the limbs. Were ever the tap hole is sap will flow past it and out.
Just make sure that the wood is clean "white" and not dark. Don't tap where theirs been damage to the tree. Bark missing, notch, V like wedges, hollow spots ect.

[brookledge]

I agree with mapleking that any side of the tree can be tapped. But usually but not always the south side will give you more sap over time only because it gets more sunlight. However it is best to spread out the taps so that the whole circumfrance is utilized.
Keith

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

The south side will run more earlier in the season but as the season progresses and the south side taps which are in the sun start to dry up, the north side will continue to run. I sorta think that over the entire season, the north side taps will sometimes run more if there is a lot of sun and warm weather because they don't get all of that. Always cooler on the north side of the tree.

Tap it all! :D :D