length of droplines

[homefarm]

just taking a survey at what length do you make your droplines and the reason why Thanks ......Chris......

[ctjim]

i'm by no means an expert but, i try to make mine long enough to reach around either side of the tree, that way i can tap either side from year to year, or basically go around the tree.i would say on an average my drops are 15in. but it depends on the size of the tree.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

I started out making them about 16". I was trying to extend the $'s as far as they would go. My standard length now is 30" which allows me quite a bit of flexbility. You can always "custom make" one for a specific purpose.

[lew]

We used to make ours 16" also, but years ago went to 30". Much more flexibility. Remember you don't want to just reach the other side of the tree, yo want to reach many different locations on the other side of the tree.

[Gerryfamily5]

I also started making them short.Now I make 30" with some longer for especialy large trees or multiple stems.The longer drops help make sure you can tap over a lager area,better for you,better for the tree.

[tuckermtn]

yep- ball-park in the 28-32" range-

[maple maniac65]

36" drops and the tee set away from the tree so squirrels have a harder time reaching the drops. They do not seem able to balance on the laterals and chew at the same time.

[Dalestead]

I do not feel that u can make a drop too long. We cut our drops 42'' long because we use straight spouts wich require a longer drop. The longer the drop = the more area u can cover on a tree = better production down the road.

[ennismaple]

Ours are 30" which gives you a lot of flexibility for taphole placement and means you get 200 droplines per roll of tubing.

[caseyssugarshack93]

we use a 30 inch drop

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I have gotten to now making each of my droplines at each tap/tree. Yes, it takes longer but I get them right for each tree. They range anywhere from 20" to 50" and I agree with Maple maniac from learning the hard way is that they are normally the longer variety as to keep them away from the tree and where the squirrels can't get to them. If I have a really large tree and it gets 3 taps, the middle one against the tree might be 20" and the two on the outside may be 45 to 50 inches.

[brookledge]

I go with 36"
Makes it easy to use a yard stick when I'm cutting up a bunch.
The bottom line is that if they are too short then they will not allow you enough room to stay away from previous holes
Keith

[red maples]

Mine are 30' another reason that I read about and some one else told me. not only is good for tap placement also for less re-absorbing of the sap back into the tree in to the tree which could result in 1. less sap, and 2. intruding more bacteria into the hole so it closes quicker and results in less sap.