Drop lines into bucket

[red4476]

Last year was my first year. Nothing big just something to do with the kids. I used buckets and bags. Liked the bags. But this year my Aunt said I could tap her two huge silver maples (40inch diameters). I've tapped each with 3, 5/16 spiles and used tubing all into a 5 gallon bucket, one bucket at each tree. Now the ground is nowhere level near these buckets range in length each from 3-7 feet. The sap just seems to sit in two of the tubes and not empty. One tree isn't even running. I also noticed leaking around the bottom of two spiles. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks!

[VTnewguy]

Leaking around the tap is common if you just put it out. It should dry up if seated properly. As far as sap sitting in the line, is the sap running in your area? Temps above freezing? When those silver maples let loose it's going to have no problem going down the tubing.

[MISugarDaddy]

Sap will remain in the lines, even when the flow is good because the bubble of sap creates a small amount of vacuum that holds it in the tubing for a limited amount of time. Just try to keep the lines from sagging and it will minimize the time the sap is in the tubing. Still been a bit to cold for sap to really start flowing, even where you are located.
Gary

[Pdiamond]

It is still early. Some silvers are finicky about giving up the sap too. I had one like that. Yet the other one would produce gallons.

[red4476]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the information. Still a newbie but so much knowledge and help on here.

[TheNamelessPoet]

Also, different issue, but make sure the tubing does not go down into the sap in the bucket. The tree can actually suck it back up.