Taps per acre

[pls009]

I realize this answer will vary but can someone with more experience than myself share what they average for the amount of taps per acre they have in their sugar bush? I know of a 50 acre property that has a high density of maples and I am trying to make a wild guess on how many taps might be available on a bush that size? Please share what size of acreage you currently tap trees in and how many taps you have? Thanks for sharing.

[bigtreemaple]

Rather than make W.A.G., why don't you go put in a few random circular plots and calculate the taps per acre from those? A circle with radius of 52 ft 8 inches is 1/5 of an acre. Count the taps multiply by 5 and you have an estimate of taps per acre. Do a few circles and average them together to get more accuracy.

[maple2]

80 taps per acre is good

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

When we were looking at potential areas, we flagged off 210'x210' areas which is just over 1 acre (43,560 sf per acre) and counted taps. Took measurements 3-4 different areas to get a good idea what we were looking at. A mature sugarbush with large trees may be around 50-60 per acre but good producers with good sap yield. Young areas we computed as much as 110-120 per acre but that is too thick and should be thinned out some to promote future growth. I agree that 80 is a nice count, preferably with young and old growth.

[ennismaple]

I agree on 80 but it can easily drop to 50 if you have some small clearings here and there.