Help with leaking taps

[Vic99]

This is my second year tapping 7 sugar maples. Last year I had one tree tap leak.

This year five of them leak. I was able to pull the tap off one, tape it carefully around the edges of the nozzle with masking tape and reinsert it successfully with no leaks.

The other four still leak regardless of what I do.

I originally drilled with a 5/16th bit and tapped in 5/16 plastic nozzles. Carefully cleaned the shavings out with a small screw. Used a rubber mallet and went in about 1.5 inches.

.Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[brookledge]

What went in 1.5"? The hole you drilled or the depth that you pounded the tap in? If you pound the tap in too much it will split the wood vertical above and below the hole and it will seep sap and run down the tree. If this has happened there is nothing that can be done.
Keith

[Vic99]

Hole is 1.5. Tap in most of the way, I think. Maybe I pounded it too much.

Is it worth putting wood glue around the outside of the tap when it stops leaking because it gets cold at night. Then pull at the end of the season. Would that work? Would that be something that might taint flavor or be something I wouldn't want to ingest?