Setting up a sugarbush

[Bruce Stuart]

I am wondering if it would be to my advantage to run lateral lines up to 175 yards if there is only a 12 foot drop in that distance. I have a decent vacuum pump.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

That’s enough slope to run a line but on mechanical vacuum I would generally try to keep lines at a 200’ max. Every now and then you’ll have to run a long line to get some maples in a scattered area or to an area where it doesn’t make sense to run a mainline for a few taps. But I would not set my bush up for 500’ laterals on mechanical vacuum. You’ll have less vacuum the further out you go. 6-8 taps per line is ideal. 10-12 max.