Forget To Pull Your Spile Out? (Photo)

[valleyman]

While walking in VT this past weekend I came across an old spile still stuck in the tree. Didn't seem to get in the way of trees healing process. Phew. Looked like an interesting photo to share during the slow season.

[PARKER MAPLE]

cool photo

[valleyman]

Hey Rookie,

Spent the weekend in Ludlow. Had to take my girls for a last dip into Buttermilk Falls. Early in the morniing I was roaming around looking for scenes to paint and I took RT100 out of Ludlow and turned left onto Andover Rd. and headed towards Andover and Weston. Beautiful area you live in.

[farmall h]

Valleyman, I cut through one the other day with chainsaw as I was blocking up firewood. It was 6" into the tree. Must have been installed 50 or so years back 'cause it was a big ol' tree. Ludlow, VT? My wife grew up there.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I deliver potato chips to the Ludlow Shaws supermarket. And if you think Weston looks nice now, you should see the foiliage.

[valleyman]

Bob,

Yea I've been going up to Ludlow for 30 years. My dad and uncle bought land off Jim Merril on North Hill. My mom sold our half some years ago to my uncle :cry: and he built a nice home on the property.

[farmall h]

Valley man, take your camera during fall foliage with the mix of oak and maple as you drive down the Black river valley. Nice. My wife's uncle has a sugar operation in Cavendish. He bought a new evaporator 2 seasons ago, 3 x 10 "woodsaver"? Haven't seen it yet but he says it's very efficient and HOT! The wife grew up next door.

[stoweski]

Hey Rookie,

Spent the weekend in Ludlow... ...Beautiful area you live in.

I'll second that!

[Revi]

That's probably more common that we think.

I'm sure a lot of people have forgotten their spiles over the years.

The plastic ones are hard to forget because they are attached to the tubing system, but I'm sure they get forgotten sometimes too.

[wally]

found this in the woods earlier this week.

they forgot to pull more than spiles.:D

[Paddymountain]

Went for a ride around the block today and saw two taps if forgot to pull!!!

[C.Wilcox]

found this in the woods earlier this week.

they forgot to pull more than spiles.:D

Any guesses as to how long those have been there?

[wally]

Any guesses as to how long those have been there?

judging by the rusted out remains of the galvanized bucket, and the amount of growth swallowing the covers, i'd say they've been "forgotten" since 1965 or so.

the covers themselves are g.h.grimm co, patented july 1904. topsides are somewhat rusty, and the undersides are still pretty clean galvanized. no sign of the spiles, which are at least 2 inches inside.

[brookledge]

I can say that is the first time I've seen a picture like that one. definately seen some plastic taps that have been left in but not like your find
Keith

[oxdrover7]

cool photos id say a good fifty years.:o

[maplebabe]

wow i myself have forgotten spiles and have found them the next year tapping but to forget buckets i would bet there is a story behind it

[Sugarmaker]

Wally,
Great photo of what happens when a sugar maker falls asleep! Cant imagin what the sugar house looked like.
Wow, I would think in the 60's vintage also. That is a classic picture. Thanks for posting. I like how the tree has tried to grow out and around the portion of the bucket that remains.
Regards,
Chris

[sugarmountain]

Its amazing how those old hard rock maples can deal with a few pounds of steel over 50-60 years but the emerald ash borer could kill them all !