Tap root question
So I keep hearing people (some Youtubers, some fairly reliable folks) talking about the best place to tap is above the “tap root”. Is there any actual proof to this? Or is this legend? I can’t say in my years of Sugaring I have ever had this in thoughts while tapping.
Well, seeing as the tap root is underground, above is better than below.Originally Posted by JYb.shopteacher
But other than that - it is nonsense. Tap in new wood and move around the tree from year to year.
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Big_Eddy
Eastern Ontario (Quinte)
20+ years on a 2x3 block arch,
Homemade 20"x64" drop flue since 2011
Build a Block Arch
Build a Flat Pan
Build a Flue Pan
Sweetening the Pans
Build a Bending Brake
Using a Hydrotherm
How much Sap to Sweeten?
Everything on youtube is right...."not" As far as Maples go they don't even have a true tap root. Walnuts do. A true tap root is one main big root that is more or less an extension of the trunk into the ground.
125-150 taps
Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
Modified half pint arch
Air over fire
All 3/16 tubing
Southern Ohio
It is a myth...same as tapping under a large branch or always tap on south or west side of the stem. There is no evidence that these practices increases sap yield either on gravity or on vacuum. Spread the taphole around from year to year to avoid cluster tapping, which WILL result in LESS sap.
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
Yeah I know that my maples have no taps roots. I have 170+ year old sugars that are literally "sitting"on the ground. I dont think any of the roots go more than a foot into the ground. I know this because I have lost probably 100 mature maples from blowovers after my aunt had her woods logged off next to ours.
1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
Constantly changing
2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.
Thanks all, I do a little YouTubing, and as I do my Syrup VLogs I like to only talk what I know. I do know that Maples do not have said tap root, and flow is not dependent on root or limb. I really just appreciate y’all confirming, Happy Sugaring
Youngbloodfamilyfarm@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/jybshopteacher
20 x 38 flat pan on extended barrel stove evaporator
DIY RO with aqua tech pump and 3 150gpd membranes
2020 53 taps
2019 47 taps 18.5 gallons
2018 28 taps. 12.5 gallons
2017 17 taps
2016 17 taps
2015 17 taps
Check out this link for some pictures
https://onmaplesyrup.wordpress.com/2...-march-8-2019/
and this one https://onmaplesyrup.wordpress.com/2...owing-briefly/
Last edited by Big_Eddy; 02-24-2020 at 08:06 AM.
Big_Eddy
Eastern Ontario (Quinte)
20+ years on a 2x3 block arch,
Homemade 20"x64" drop flue since 2011
Build a Block Arch
Build a Flat Pan
Build a Flue Pan
Sweetening the Pans
Build a Bending Brake
Using a Hydrotherm
How much Sap to Sweeten?
90% of roots are are within the top 18" of soil. This may change slightly due to clay or sandy soils. Trees have a tap root for a very short period in their life right after sprouting from seed. You'll never find a "tap root" on a mature tree.
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