3/16" gravity

[Ken18621]

I've been using 3/16" on gravity vacuum for a few seasons and I'm replacing the lines for the upcoming season and have a question.

I am rerouting the lines to be more of an "s" than a "z" configuration to improve vacuum. But by doing this I am forced to bypass one or two trees on each run.

Has anyone tried teeing in a drop to a single tree that's essentially 15' away?

[buckeye gold]

yes, I have but it's a lot of tubing for a little gain. I think that you sacrifice some vaccum when you do it. High on the line would be better, but if lower end I'd just pass the tree. When you weigh sap loss against negative effects, I think it's more a negative. I think if you want the tree take the tubing to it. Fifteen feet isn't going to hurt your vaccum that much. I don't think it matters hoiw much zig and zag you have as long as you have good drop. Now if your bends are so radical as to crimp or decrease the tubing diameter then you have a problem. That's why I don't pull them quitar string tight, just get out the big sags.