Marking Trees

[SeanD]

What do people use to mark trees for tapping? I'm scouting out some neighbor's yards and I want something that I can spot easily when I walk up to the tree next spring, but inconspicuous enough that the neighbors don't really see it without looking. In other words, spray paint is out.

Last year I tried a Sharpie, but the pens only lasted for a couple of trees before the felt tip crapped out from writing on knobby bark. I was thinking about whiteout or touch-up paint, but I don't know if it will last the winter.

Sean

[stoweski]

Cut down every other tree and only leave the sugars? :D

Spray paint is the best bet. I guess as a close second I'd go with colored thumb tacks. I did this before I sprayed them and attached a small piece of surveyor's tape to it. Worked well unless the wind blew hard and the tape blew off.

I suppose a last resort would be a GPS. Leaves no trace... just some breadcrumbs on the screen.

[sapman]

Somebody on here told me they use the cow marking crayons. I used pink, but I think they had other colors. I like it because I don't thing it's too permanent, but lasts as long as I need it to.

[DrTimPerkins]

Somebody on here told me they use the cow marking crayons. I used pink, but I think they had other colors. I like it because I don't thing it's too permanent, but lasts as long as I need it to.

You could use lumber crayon, paint markers http://tinyurl.com/33uobym or paint sticks http://tinyurl.com/37aw4jj Personally I prefer the paint sticks if you just want to leave a visible mark. If you want to write a number or some other code, the paint markers work well. GPS is probably not workable to find individual trees due to the degree of error (+/- 30 ft or so).

[Flat47]

You could use lumber crayon,

x2. Most hardware stores have them around here. Yellow seems to work the best.

[brookledge]

i'm not quite sure why you need to mark them. Is it so you can put tubing back up exactly where it was or because you can not find the maples?
I would think you should have no problem finding the previously tapped maples especially since they have already been tapped.
So I'm going to assume it is so you can put your tubing up each year. I have some property other than mine that I marked. I used spray paint, put the nozzle right up tight where the tubing goes around the tree and made a small dot. When I stand back I have to really look hard to see it and if you don't know it's ther you can't see it
Keith

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I just tie a ribbon around them with flagging tape. Might be too bright for what you want but probably could find some tape that wasn't real bright and it takes about 2 seconds to take it off the tree and it isn't permanent.

[Father & Son]

I've tried the tape thing and the "tree rats" had it scattered all over the woods and even in some of their nests. The woods I marked last year I used the dot of spray paint and put it on the side of the tree away from the road so it could only be seen from in the woods. It also made it alittle easier to route the laterals. If it's a rented woods make sure paint dots are OK with the owner.

Jim

[3rdgen.maple]

I wait till spring and then mark them with a tap in them. My question is why do you have to mark the maples?

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

If you are doing a tap count, marking trees to add taps to, trees that need to be culled, etc. Many reasons to mark them. I try to always carry orange flagging tape with me anytime I am in the woods checking lines or just walking around and mark areas with squirrel damage or other problems that need fixed.

[Father & Son]

Prevents this rookie from tapping any oaks

Jim

[3rdgen.maple]

I was just poking fun I figured it was so you didnt tap non maples. Some of those darn trees without leaves on them are tricky. Ive been playing tricks on my dad over the years. He taps one bush while Im tapping others and I always go back and stick a tap in an oak or pine and then the first time we gather I asked him what the heck was he thinking lol. He just scratches his head in disbelief. Someday I might tell him.

[Thad Blaisdell]

Now that is pretty darn funny....

[Brian Ledoux]

i used colored thumb tack and only stick them in half way. worked good for me. Also used white ribbon that my wife had a large sppol of. was little less than 1/4 inch thick. The thumb tacks were quicker, but ribbon worked ok too.

[SeanD]

Thanks for the suggestions. I figure there had to be something out there. I'll check out the lumber crayon first because I think I can get my hands on one easily.

The reasons I have to mark the trees have pretty much been given. I don't know my neighbor's yards and trees yet. Some of the trees can look the same in the winter (at least to me). It's also helpful for me to put a tap number on the tree so I'm not second guessing sizes when I'm tapping.

I ran across another reason last year. I put two taps in a big maple in my neighbor's yard. I know it was a bad year, but this tree barely produced a cup of sap. Well, come the growing season, I learned why. It only had about 50 leaves. I could have saved the taps, but more importantly, I don't want my neighbor thinking I killed his tree.:lol:

Sean

[afretired]

I've been using surveyor's tape. Like was said before it's fast and easy. Also it is very easy to see in the woods. You can stand back and get an idea of how best to tap the trees, if the density is high enough to justify tubing or just go with jugs. I know this wasn't what you wanted. Since you are tapping the neighbors trees in their yards, how about making a quick sketch in a tablet of the trees and the yards and jotting down some notes. No marks, no mess, no fuss.

Dave

[SeanD]

I used the paint marker today to mark the trees on the surrounding properties. It worked great! It was exactly what I wanted. I left a red, dime-sized dot for each tap and it easily held up to 80+ marks.

It was definitely the way for me to go. The woods are dense and maybe only about 1 in 8 is a maple and maybe 1 in 12 is tappable. More than once, I got spun around in the woods and walked up to the same tree a second time, but there was my mark clear as day. Thanks for the tip, Doc!

Sean

[oxdrover7]

surveying tape works well you can get it at lowes or home depot.