A Spile Question - 5/16 vs 7/16 ?

[Ausable]

I have been making maple syrup for over 20 years as a hobby. When I was hanging pails/buckets/cans/jugs - I always used the old 7/16 metal Grimm spiles with a hook. In recent years - I have been using 7/16 plastic tubing spiles with drop tubes to buckets and this has been a better way to go for me. But - I have picked up some family Tappers and now we are doing more trees and the need for more spiles and tubing has gone up. So - When I placed my order - naturally they were out of 7/16 plastic spiles - time is now of the essence --- so -- I ordered 5/16 plastic spiles and tubing and now have them. Hey - They are cute. -----Now -- My question??????? Do You - who have switched over to the smaller spiles - who use drop tubes to buckets - get as much sap as you did?????

[Schiefe4]

I think Dr. Tim could chime in on this but if I remember correctly there a small difference in the amount of sap you get from a 7/16" to a 5/16". The quantity of sap can be better related to the depth of tapping for drop tube to buckets.

[MISugarDaddy]

Last year was our first year using 5/16" spiles and I am convinced there isn't enough difference to notice, except you won't be causing as much damage to the tree. In fact, we also used a couple of the 7/16" spiles last year to see if there was any noticeable difference and it didn't seem to make any difference.
Gary

[Ausable]

Gary - Thanks so much. I was hoping to hear that. It will take a little time to get used to this small - cute stuff. But - If it works the same and is kind to the trees - it works for me.

Mike

[DrTimPerkins]

I think Dr. Tim could chime in on this....

http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/smallspout.pdf

[Ausable]

Hey! Dr. Tim..... Thanks for the excellent information. Less damage to the trees and almost the same amount of sap. I'm sold. ----Mike----