Would I lose vacuum?

[SognSyrup]

Is there a reason I wouldn't do two drops into a T like this and save cutting the lateral twice with the two-handed tool? (Sorry photo is upside down)
14990

[Woodsrover]

I don't see why that wouldn't work. I might have attached the drops to each side of the T so both drops have the same resistance to reach the lateral?

Might try this myself this weekend.

Edit: I have a bunch of two-tap trees to run lines to this weekend...I might sit down tonight and put together a bunch of double-drops just for chits and giggles.

[maple flats]

That has been mentioned in the past and it generally comes up as a bad idea. It is suggested you run a separate drop for each tap.

[morningstarfarm]

Personally i wouldnt...if you have a leaky tap or split tree it is going to affect both taps instead of just one....if you need to pull and cap one it would be a pia too...but thats just my .02

[BAP]

Two separate drops placed in the line spaced so that they are on each side of the tree as the line goes by it is the best. It will allow you the flexibility of tapping anywhere on the tree plus give the best sap flow. 40+ years ago when tubing was relatively new, teeing into a drop for a second one was done. People learned that it was hard to find good places to tap because you ended up with one side of the tree hammered with holes. Overall, what little you save will end up costing you in the end.

[Woodsrover]

I still kinda like the idea. Sitting at the table putting 10 pair together as we type. Should save a little time in the woods. Will let you know how they work out!

[Daveg]

I don't think you'd lose vacuum.

[rhwells2003]

You wouldn't lose vacuum, but if you have a tree large enough for two taps having the two connected to eachother greatly reduces the amount of area on that tree you can tap. Also occasionally wood chips will plug a tee, if the tee on the lateral plugs your losing sap production from both taps instead of just one. Plus whats it saving your? one tee? $0.20? 1 minute of time inserting another drop in the lateral? Lost production of a tap b/c of a plugged tee to save $0.20 in the end will cost your 20+gal of sap which equals $5+

I come from the way of thinking "if it don't make dollars it don't make sense (cents)" This one doesn't make sense to me

[SognSyrup]

I hear ya. I wouldn't want to lose out on the whole tree if there were a problem.

The main thing I'm thinking of is labor. I know it's only one minute of adding another T to the lateral, but if it's for 500 taps, you're talking about 500 minutes. Just looking to save time...and considering your adage about dollars/sense, "time = money" too, right? Just curious to see what folks thought.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

How many trees do you have big enough for 2 taps? At what diameter are you going to 2 taps? On a vacuum system, I would not go to 2 taps until the tree is at least 16" dbh, preferably 20"dbh.

[SognSyrup]

How many trees do you have big enough for 2 taps? At what diameter are you going to 2 taps? On a vacuum system, I would not go to 2 taps until the tree is at least 16" dbh, preferably 20"dbh.

It's a very mature stand of timber. Most trees are 15" diameter and above.


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[cfenton86]

I have a few trees that I did that setup with. Sap flows just fine. The real problem is next year when you go move to the new tap hole. You have to move the taps the same distance height wise or one drop will fill up as the other is draining. I recommend not doing it!