Old reliable tree not producing this year

[Quagmire33]

I tap a few 100+ year old sugars at my friends house each year, one of which used to be one of the best producers. So far this year I've gotten maybe 6 oz's of sap from the 2 taps on the tree. The tree is large enough that I could add one more tap ( about 38" dia) but will that really make a difference? When I tapped I was in good wood, and not near old tap holes. Anyone have this happen to them ?

[psparr]

I've had quite a few of my good ones do the same thing. Weird year.

[maple2]

I tapped my sweet tree next to the sugarhouse, last week. 1in of sap in the bucket after a week.Drilled another hole yesterday, not even a drip even though it was above freezing.My warm bush on vac. was running,though. Trees still frozen?

[Swagner]

Ya been a very odd year to say. I have to very good size road side trees at the bottom of my drive. One has been giving me large amounts of sap. This one is set up on a little hill next to the stone wall. Slightly diagonal from it on the opposite side of the road I had one of my other good ol boys that is just a few feet off the road not doing much of anything as of yet. Mother nature is showing all of us newbies the patience it sometimes takes to work with her......

[doocat]

Around me there is still a lot of frost in the ground. I am not sure about your area but that will stop the sap flow.

[tbear]

My two most reliable trees, as far as sap production goes, haven't given even one drop. The buckets just hang there, looking at me. Ted

[Quagmire33]

There is still about 2 feet of frost in the ground where i am and these trees are in the wide open getting sun all day long. The thing that gets me is that about 30 feet away is a very similar tree that also has 2 taps in it and that one will fill 5 gallons in 24 hours. I really don't understand, but I'm hoping if I'm patient this tree will also start running.

I have 20 taps on a 5/16 line rigged with a pump that get me about 15-22 inches of vacuum , and those taps are running a little bit and they are all in the woods not getting much sun at all. Mother Nature is really messing with us this year.

[CampHamp]

Are the slow taps on the south-side of the tree?

Could the running tree be near some ground water flow that has thawed its roots earlier than "Old Reliable"?

Could there be a borer beetle cut blocking flow?

Click to learn about this PITA insect.

[KevinS]

Yes. I attributed it to the year since in following years it has been right there at the top as far as production of sap goes.

[Quagmire33]

Are the slow taps on the south-side of the tree?

Could the running tree be near some ground water flow that has thawed its roots earlier than "Old Reliable"?

Could there be a borer beetle cut blocking flow?

Click to learn about this PITA insect.

I guess anything is possible, my taps are on the south side.