Tim Perkins mentioned in this thread that there is research happening on the topic of re-drilling holes.
I did a search here on the topic and landed on this thread.
It started when I read in The Maple News from this season ("Betting on his buckets: N.H. producer taps early
Sugarmaker plans on taphole rejuvenation on bucket taps") about a bucket operation that was "rejuvenating" taps for a longer season, but it did not specify what was meant by "rejuvenation".
I know it is well established that there is little to nothing to gain from "reaming" tap holes, since the healing extends a good six inches above and below the hole.
However, it does seem like drilling a 1.5" deep hole to maybe 2" at some point mid-season is an idea worth at least considering unless that has now been debunked as well.
In my little brain, it seems like the thing most likely to stop this from being effective is if at 2" you're potentially getting into heartwood, but there could be other factors.
If it does work, it seems like it could be game changing especially for a bucket operation who has a lot riding on best tapping timing.
In the 4 years since this thread went dormant is there more data on the topic? By a research facility and/or an experiment by any sugarer here?
Andy
(P.S., I also wonder about drilling bigger mid-season, such as from 3/16" to 5/16" for tubing, or from 5/16" to 7/16" for buckets, although would be higher cost)