3/16 drop lines

[Tapper705]

For 2 tap trees, Is it better to have each drop line connect into the 3/16 line separately or have a little longer drop line with a "t" in it, so there is only one connection to the main 3/16 line for 2 taps? What are folks feelings and thoughts about this?

[psparr]

Two drops going into the line separately.

[Cedar Eater]

I think two separately for the simple reason that you will be moving the spouts to different locations next year and might need the extra length for one tree or the other.

[ronintank]

I thought the new rule was with a high vacuum setup of 3/16 the rule was only 1 tap per tree. I may be wrong.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I put one tap if I can reach around the tree and my hands overlap. If my fists don't meet, I put in 2 taps.

[peteinvermont]

I thought the new rule was with a high vacuum setup of 3/16 the rule was only 1 tap per tree. I may be wrong.

18" or greater trees fall into the area that using 2 taps is acceptable under vacuum - although, its still personal preference. Since sugaring isn't our main business, we tend to take a tree friendly approach and stick with a single tap. However, I have some trees that are pasture maples - HUGE crowns, full sun, great soil, basically zero competition - we put 2 in those without even thinking twice. Other trees that are 18"+, but are in the forest and have to compete for resources only get a single.

[Snowmad]

I have a couple huge old trees that I would normally put 6 buckets on. Giant trees in the sun by themselves, would I still only use a maximum of 2 taps using the 3/16 or could I go more than that? I call a couple of my big trees 10 gallon trees because on a good day you can get nearly that much sap.

[Cedar Eater]

Snowmad, are these clump trees or one single stem? If they are clump trees, you can tap each stem that is bigger than 10" diameter at or above breast height.

[Tapper705]

These are 30 + inch diameter maples. Just wondering if, from a vaccuum perspective and constriction to mainline perspective which is better, single t split or 2 separate drop lines. I am not asking if I should put 2 taps. But thanks for your responses. Using 30 inch drops, so repositioning is not an issue.

[Snowmad]

CE, both actually. However, I was referring to the 4' diameter trees. Can I put more than two drops on those?

[psparr]

You can put as many as you want. It's your tree, although it's recommended only one or two

[Snowmad]

If you just did two, would you try to get one on the north side and one on the south side? I'm used to buckets and it seems like the north side run later in the season but the ones on the south, east, and west run better on the cooler days and earlier in the season.