How to remove and replace 3/16 on a seasonal basis

[BSD]

One problem i'm faced with is borrowed land and trees. Because of that, i have to remove all my 3/16 lines and taps and put them all back next season. I was trying to figure out how to map out the trees (over 120) in a reasonable way. My runs go up a steep hillside, a few lines run in close proximity to one another at the pinch point before it gangs together and runs the final leg to the tank. GPS isn't accurate enough without a professional grade surveyors receiver. I thought about painting dots on the trees; orienting them in a way where the dot would point to the next tree, pictures wouldn't really be helpful enough, etc.

I finally settled on Tree Tags, made for inventorying trees in a park, forest, estate, etc by arborists. I'm going to mark each run, then next year i simply have to connect the numerical dots.

16297

[Ghs57]

Same problem here, although after three years and walking these lines almost everyday during the season, I have it down pretty well. I like the tags. Ive been saving bottle caps to use for the same purpose (I was going to spray paint them and then number them). The hardest part for me is putting it up in exactly the same way as it was prior so the drops line up again. And keeping the roll from becoming a tangled mess.

This year I will write down how each tree is on the line. For example, tubing wrapped around tree or bypassed, etc. I may try the caps. Also I will label everything better (this year I hauled a big roll of 5/16 to the top of a ridge in the snow, only to find I had the wrong line for that run). Once the lines are down, I'm going to try wrapping them with that clingy plastic on a narrow roll used for packing bulky items. Then I can use my spooler as if its a new roll.

What's your method for take down and storage?

[BSD]

I'll be rolling them up on wooden wire spools. stacked on a pallet and stored on a rack until december

[RileySugarbush]

I am about to pull down my tubing, first year on it. I plan on walking each line and taking a photo looking up at the next couple of trees. That series of shots will be available e next year to show the way. Each line will be marked on the lower end to get those in the right place. Hope it works.

[BSD]

I am about to pull down my tubing, first year on it. I plan on walking each line and taking a photo looking up at the next couple of trees. That series of shots will be available e next year to show the way. Each line will be marked on the lower end to get those in the right place. Hope it works.I was thinking of trying that, but i don't know if i can get enough detail in the pictures without having to take nearly 100 photos, and then trying to view them on my phone in the woods next year... just doesn't seem that practical. I have some trees where multiple lines run across it as it goes towards the funnel point.

[Woodsrover]

I've got 170 taps on 7 lines. I'm going to walk each of them while taking a movie with a digital camera.

[motowbrowne]

I use my phone to take a video while walking down each line. Ideally you do it at the beginning of the season, so everything looks the same as it will when you reinstall the line next year.

[GramaCindy]

I really like the tree tag idea BSD! I actually bought a piece of metal about an 1" wide by 72" long. Planned on cutting into small pieces. Not looking forward to that, but then I had an AH HA moment....I'm going to use large washers, metal ones, and metal stamp the tree number on them, nail onto tree, trying to stay on the same SW side, so I can find the tags easily next winter.

[DrTimPerkins]

Lots of different sorts of tree tags available http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/search.asp?cat=136

Just don't pound the nail in very far.

[Ghs57]

Good ideas here. If I do tree tags, I was thinking of tying them on with fishing line. This because I don't own the trees, and I really don't want to leave a permanent mark (other than the tap holes). But I like the photo/video idea. I can always use the pics to create maps/tubing instructions which can be printed out and may be easier to use in the field.

[DrTimPerkins]

Maybe mark your crop trees with lumber crayons where the line goes. Use different colors for different lines.

[Sugarmaker]

I used black spray paint above and below the line after i had it in place year one. Then marked the bottom of each line with a tag to remind me of where it started. But mine are on the road in a line.
Regards,
Chris

[Super Sapper]

One thing that I did last year that helped was to put a piece of duct tape on the line before it made a turn with an arrow pointing what direction you had to go next. A rough hand drawn map of the lines helps get started also.

[Dave Puhl]

I have been putting up and taking down lines for 11 seasons..back when I started I spray painted the trees..since then they say not to spray them...maybe Dr.Tim can comment on this...working alone is a pain too..never did come up with some thing to wind them up just looped them on my arm some runs are 3-400 ft long.. this year I am trying a horizontal saw mark with a small hand saw where the line goes around the tree a light cut/mark just in the outer bark don't know if it will last a year of will be able to see it

[DrTimPerkins]

..since then they say not to spray them...maybe Dr.Tim can comment on this

As far as I know it is OK to spray paint trees (if they're your trees) and you don't mind the look UNLESS you are organic certified.

[Ghs57]

Taking down lines is harder for me than putting them up. This tubing can be the most uncooperative stuff every invented. Yesterday I got all the 5/16 down, but forgot to bring my marking crayons and almost anything else useful. So I took pictures, when I remembered to. I had some blue tape and a marker and plastic packing wrap, so I labeled as I went, particularly when a long line is separated into sections. The wrap kept the rolls fairly tight. I will re-roll these on my spooler, but I am considering rerouting some of the lines, which will charge part of the alignment of the drops.

I also think these 5/16 drops have to go. Two full seasons and they look pretty bad. Well, now it off to do the 3/16 lines.