Originally Posted by
ennismaple
I completely agree with Dr Tim. In the long run you are better off tapping on all faces of the trees to ensure you get good sapwood. An equal distribution of taps in all directions of the compass will yield more consistent results and eliminate some of the year to year impacts of how spring breaks.
And another thing: don't be an idiot (like I was) and jump around all over the tree from year to year, looking for roots to tap over, and big limbs to tap under. It makes finding old tapholes a real PITA. Just start in one place (or on opposite sides on two-tap trees) and work your way around the tree methodically year after year. I do this now on new trees, but on trees I've tapped before I have to keep jumping around to work around the old tap holes.
GO
2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
2024: 17 taps, 5.3 gals
All on buckets