Quote Originally Posted by ADK_XJ View Post
This is interesting, I’ve always avoided tapping in freezing weather for fear of splitting the wood but now you have me thinking.
Splitting is/was far more common with 7/16" spouts which are shaped like wedges and can split wood if trees are tapped when frozen. That is much less a problem now with 5/16" spouts that have far less taper (the shafts beyond the top are basically straight).

Splits are typically not real common, but do tend to happen more with thin-barked, smooth-barked trees and especially with red maple. However, these splits tend to be very superficial and don't extend into the sapwood. They mostly affect the cambium and typically heal within a few seasons. https://mapleresearch.org/pub/m0216tapholeinjury/