Tapping for 2021

[Sugar Bear]

Well I have stopped fondling my new Home built RO system and now just waiting. Glad I got the RO together as I suspect with all the sap coming tight this year I may well need it to keep my limited storage capacity from overflowing. Good timing.

[FarmallCT]

Starting out this year with a new setup. Putting up Leader 3/4" mainline, 5/16" inch UNI-50 laterals, Max Flow Flex drop lines, and 5/16 clear check valve spouts. Aiming to have 200 taps up this year.

Was hoping to be tapping this weekend but currently have 18-24" of snow on the ground here in the Litchfield Hills and temps look to be staying down the next week or two. On the plus side now have extra time to get more lines up and put together drops on the colder and snowier days.

[ir3333]

this has probably been asked but do you tap ahead of time when it's still too cold , or wait 'til you see an
upcoming freeze / thaw cycle coming in the long range forecast? I have always waited for a warm day so
the sap is running immediately when i drill.

[berkshires]

this has probably been asked but do you tap ahead of time when it's still too cold , or wait 'til you see an
upcoming freeze / thaw cycle coming in the long range forecast? I have always waited for a warm day so
the sap is running immediately when i drill.

Yes, this has been asked many times. There is a ton of info on the question on this site already. Basically, what it boils down to (pardon the pun) is this:

Drill too soon and you risk your tapholes drying out before the end of the season - potentially before the best sap runs of the season.

There are many factors that go into the question of what is "too soon". Do some research and come back with more specific questions, LOL.

Cheers!

GO

[Mike Van]

Maybe in a week or so? 002.jpg

[DrTimPerkins]

Drill too soon and you risk your tapholes drying out before the end of the season - potentially before the best sap runs of the season.

There are many factors that go into the question of what is "too soon". Do some research and come back with more specific questions, LOL.

The follow up to this excellent advice is....NO, if the first taphole dries out then don't just drill a second hole in the same tree (bad for sustainability in that the amount of internal wounding is too large) and NO, don't just ream the hole bigger/deeper when the first one dries out (essentially about the same or worse than drilling a second taphole in terms of the wound size that is created).

So, in short...producers on gravity (as opposed to vacuum) should drill at the right time just as or just before the regular season starts. When is the right time you ask? Now that's a difficult question to answer.

[bryankloos]

The follow up to this excellent advice is....NO, if the first taphole dries out then don't just drill a second hole in the same tree (bad for sustainability in that the amount of internal wounding is too large) and NO, don't just ream the hole bigger/deeper when the first one dries out (essentially about the same or worse than drilling a second taphole in terms of the wound size that is created).

So, in short...producers on gravity (as opposed to vacuum) should drill at the right time just as or just before the regular season starts. When is the right time you ask? Now that's a difficult question to answer.

Assuming we are on vac, what are the options for tapping early? I have some friends coming this weekend and I would like to tap some trees with their kids. I don't see any decent flows in the near future, but want to involve the younger ones in the process. I have 77 taps on a 4008 with temp control. Can I tap and activate the vac (on temp control) without loss of longevity in the season?

[DrTimPerkins]

Assuming we are on vac, what are the options for tapping early? I have some friends coming this weekend and I would like to tap some trees with their kids. I don't see any decent flows in the near future, but want to involve the younger ones in the process. I have 77 taps on a 4008 with temp control. Can I tap and activate the vac (on temp control) without loss of longevity in the season?

Yes, you should be fine at this point...ASSUMING that you are using GOOD spout/tubing sanitation practices.

I would also suggest you NOT put a drill in a kids hand unless you're not real concerned about yield. Drilling a taphole for systems on vacuum is critically important and easy to mess up. Choosing the right place to tap and keeping the drill really stable are vital. Maybe they can put spouts in and gently tap them in (with a small hammer, with supervision to teach them when to stop).

[maple flats]

I second that, those too young or not trained properly can ruin a tap hole.

[bryankloos]

Thanks guys.
I'll drill and let them tap a few CV Spouts in...
They will get a lot out of the process, and are very excited.
Thanks.
Bryan