Safe to tap maple trees with tar spots?

[Van Horn Homebrew]

I am brand new to tapping maple syrup. My parents just moved into a property with huge beautiful maple trees. I want to tap them for syrup this year, but all of them have tar spots on them. Will the syrup make us sick since the trees are infected?

[DrTimPerkins]

I am brand new to tapping maple syrup. My parents just moved into a property with huge beautiful maple trees. I want to tap them for syrup this year, but all of them have tar spots on them. Will the syrup make us sick since the trees are infected?

Not sure exactly what you mean.

If you're referring to "tar spot" disease of the foliage, then go ahead and tap them for syrup.

If you're referring to the fact that somebody put tar on the stem or cut branches to seal the wound (a poor practice that is not recommended), then again, it is fine to go ahead and tap them....just don't drill through or near that area.

[spud]

Are you sure their maple trees and not power poles?:lol:

Spud

[tuckermtn]

the black tar spots on foliage are pretty normal on Norway Maples. Should have no effect on sap or syrup quality.
if you can, post a picture of the leaf and/or the trunk of the tree.