How much space between tapholes?

[Packerfan]

How far away should a new taphole be drilled from an old taphole?

[mapleman3]

I do 6" from the side and 6" above or below...

[Packerfan]

Thanks Mapleman!

-Dan

[Johnny Cuervo]

Jim, would you tap 6'' directly above or below a previous hole?

[maple flats]

Do not tap directly above or below an old hole. The stained section from the old hole extends both up and down up to 2' starting about an inch or 2each side of the hole & getting narrower as it goes up and down. If you tap into the stain you will get very little sap if any because it is an area the tree has partitioned off because of the old wound (the taphole)

[sweetwoodmaple]

Finding some tapped lumber and cutting it apart helps clarify the impact of tapping and the sapwood.

At our last maple meeting, someone brought a board of quarter sawn sugar maple that was taken from the base where you tap ...pretty amazing to look at.

[mapleman3]

6" above or below... and thats 6" to the left or right.. depending on how many taps you can work your way around the tree and when you get back to the front the holes from years ago will be healed(hopefully)