Half dead

[325abn]

Is there any reason not to tap a huge maple that seems to be 1/2 dead? Meaning one part of the tree fell probley decades ago but there is a good part still growing.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

No, it is going to die prematurely anyways due to the rot on the side that fell.

[maplehound]

If your tapping with a vaccuume system then you want to make sure you don't tap into a hollow section of the tree. Other wise I would just tap it the damage has been done and not tapping it won't help any. You might want to consider cutting the tree out for firewood if you can safely drop it. It could help other smaller trees to thrive and produce more sap in the long run.

[H. Walker]

We used to have a sugar just like that. We taped it until it finaly died several years later. It would fill 4, 2gal. buckets every day. I think that was a final harrah before it died!! :lol:

[HanginAround]

I've seen some very hollow trees produce a lot of sap too, always surprising to see a tree that should fall over produce so much.

[325abn]

Thanks for the advice I will be tapping this tree for sure. :D :D

[802maple]

You just have to be careful where you place the tap with vacuum so that you don't have a leak

[Russell Lampron]

Tap it and see how it runs, if it runs good continue tapping it, if it doesn't find a better tree to tap next year.

Russ

[Pete33Vt]

The way I look at it is IF I don't tap the trees that are half dead I wouldn't tap any. Most of the trees (about 80%) in my sugarbush are half dead. And no new growth coming in. Its just a matter of getting to them before they fall over. And yes its very hard to find a vacum leak in a hollow tree. No mattre how hard you look or listen you can still hear air leaking. But enentually I find them even when there half way up the tree.

Good luck on this years season
Pete