+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20

Thread: Retapping

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    East Freedom PA
    Posts
    11

    Default Retapping

    My 1st year for collecting sap n making syrup so far so good... my question is that I tapped my trees on February 13th do I need to redrill the holes for the good weather that’s coming after this snow? Tuesday n Wednesday I collected like 10 gals from 20 taps I have it in the fridge.... I checked this morning very little n a bit yellow so I just dumped it out. I’m in East Freedom and I’m thinking it’s going to get a good run? Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    South of Pittsburgh, PA
    Posts
    183

    Default

    you should be good for a couple more weeks.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    East Freedom PA
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Thanks You

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Lenox pa
    Posts
    90

    Default

    I tapped mine Feb 13 also, still getting good sap when weather is right, might tap a couple more if weather looks right which is looking good for next week, unfortunately got a foot of snow today not sure if that helps the sap but it's a pain for me

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    St. Marys Pa.
    Posts
    246

    Default

    read a thread a few years ago from a old pro,he said sap is water so the more rain and snow you have the better. I found this to be factual in years past. God Luck

  6. #6
    Haynes Forest Products Guest

    Default

    When you tap a tree you start the clock ticking. The second you remove the drill bit mold spores move in and take up residency they don't pay rent but they sure trashed the place. You started the process and their ain't much you can do about it. You let them in early without a security deposit Yea you can take your bit and smear the crap around but there their still in there but now you forced them into the little capillaries.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Kittanning PA
    Posts
    286

    Default

    This end of season run is the best in decades and is forecasted to continue until March 15 or later. It follows a very disappointing February when we got less than half of the syrup we expected. So, if you think you are not getting the March sap you should be getting based upon the weather, it could be that most of your tree holes healed up during the warm spell that we had in February.

    Here's my suggestion. On an afternoon when the sap should be running well, check your taps one at a time. Pull out the tap if you have to do so to check the hole. If the hole is dry or dripping very slowly, make a new hole a few inches away and put the old tap into the new hole, it will immediately start trickling out. It the sap was already running in that hole, stick the tap back into it.
    680 5/16 taps on gravity
    red and sugar maples
    2 Homemade ROs
    Stovetop evaporator
    Filter press by Daryl
    Star San Tube Pump
    Drying rack for hydrometer
    Loves tapping in snow

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Rock Creek, NC
    Posts
    5,807

    Default

    If you used new or properly sterilized taps you can expect 4 to 6 weeks before they dry up. If you are using old used taps and only washed them you can expect about 3 weeks before the holes dry up.

    Retapping or reaming the tap holes doesn't work. You may get a day of good flow but that is about all you'll get. Drilling a new hole in the same tree is creating another wound in the tree and if you've already put the maximum number of taps for the tree size you're over tapping.
    Russ

    "Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!

    1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
    A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
    Four chainsaws and no chickens!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
    Posts
    6,390

    Default

    If the hole is dry or dripping very slowly, make a new hole a few inches away and put the old tap into the new hole, it will immediately start trickling out. It the sap was already running in that hole, stick the tap back into it.
    This is not typically recommended, and anyone who does it should be aware that putting in a second hole will create a second wound in the tree that the tree has to recover from. Putting a second tap in the tree (unless the tree is large enough to support a second tap) is definitely not standard, is not recommended, and, if repeated over time, is not sustainable practice. http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/?Page=tappingguidelines.htm
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Kittanning PA
    Posts
    286

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DrTimPerkins View Post
    Putting a second tap in the tree (unless the tree is large enough to support a second tap) ... if repeated over time, is not sustainable practice.
    I agree with Dr. Perkins that this is not something to do regularly. In my 35 years of making maple syrup, this is only the second season that I have done this.
    680 5/16 taps on gravity
    red and sugar maples
    2 Homemade ROs
    Stovetop evaporator
    Filter press by Daryl
    Star San Tube Pump
    Drying rack for hydrometer
    Loves tapping in snow

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts