To small?

[Sinzibuckwud]

I have a six or seven inch maple in the backyard that unfortunately along with the dying ash next to it was buried 3-4 ft deep in a septic system instillation opposed to trucking out the earth. It will be cut down this year as it is too close to the new system for my liking.
Will a tree this small produce much?
I am not afraid to hammer the taps to it if it will be worth it, hurting the tree or longevity no longer apply.
I was looking forward to tapping this tree in the future.

[Maple Man 85]

The short answer is yes university research varies but rule of thumb is 8-10 inches is the smallest that should be tapped. There is also research that reviews sap amount by size of tree relative to crown size. Checkout Cornell university research.

[Galena]

Sad to see a promising young tree go, and though *technically* you could tap it, I really don't think you would get much anyway. FWIW I would just leave it alone.

[leaky bucket]

Think of where the SAP is stored and coming from! I wouldn't tap that tree if we're 24 ". SAP is what it came from! Cut it small and boil with it

Mike

[leaky bucket]

Pete. Buy a proper tapping bit 5\16 or 7\16 wich ever you are using for taps. Only drill in 1 1\2 " max don't wobble it and bore hole bigger or ream it .if you are using pails drill on no more than a upward 4 deg angle. Proper bits won't leave shavings to plug your spile.
If you only have a few taps switch now to 5\16 health spiles and ditch the 7\16 much easier on the tree\ healing and same amount of sap.

Good luck
Mike

[Russell Lampron]

It may not produce much but it will run. Put a tap in it !!

[Galena]

Ok, if you're REALLY desperate for sap, and REALLY crazy, go ahead and tap that poor little tree. I'm sure septic-flavoured syrup tastes delicious, esp with added E.coli!

Don't say you weren't warned.

[Ghs57]

I respect Galena's opinion, but add:

if you are going to cut it down anyway, tap it. A tree that small would not be tappable normally, unless you read some of the new research from the universities. My understanding is that the bad bugs get filtered out in the septic tank/leaching area. I would hope trees don't like bacteria any more than humans do, and keep in mind you will also be boiling the hell out of it which kills any know bacteria. I suppose there could be off flavors though. It's your decision. If its for your own use, you may have more discretion. Otherwise, you must err on the side of caution.

[Super Sapper]

The septic system should be well below the roots.

[Galena]

The septic system should be well below the roots.

Even so, I'd never take that risk. E.coli and other bacteria are pretty tough critters, and why would you want to risk contaminating your syrup? Honestly I think the original poster should PM Dr Tim Perkins and ask his opinion, and I'd go with what he says.

[Sinzibuckwud]

Thank you for the kind responses.
As for the tree reaching septic that will not happen as of yet because the feeder roots are at the very outer edge of the field and as stated well above the level we placed the systems pipes, also It is closest to the last pipe in the system which will receive the least if any of the output at all (oversized system :)) there is also a 6 or 7 foot buffer of sand before the last pipe and the tree as well.
This will not be the case in 10- 20 years if I let the tree grow.
just wanted to clarify that.
Also
Thank you for pointing me to Cornell university I spent most of my day reading yesterday, a little bland as reports and such usually are, but the information was well worth it.
I will throw one or two taps in it, If she don't produce I'll just pull tap and move it to a known producer no big deal. It's in a very convenient location guess that is the main draw.
Tree's name- skinny minnie