4/6/2024 0 Comments Types of maple trees in ohio![]() ![]() There were other factors in the van der Berg study that could also influence the reduction of functional wood. If you get to a tree and you can place the rope around the girth of the tree without the two ends of the rope touching then you have a tree at least 12 inches in diameter. A quick way to determine tree size is to use a rope 38 inches inches long. It could lead to a decline in overall tree health and productivity. If the percentage of functional wood is on the decline this makes it harder year after year to find new wood to tap. This is important because you want to consistently be tapping into new wood year after. Trees under 12 inches saw a steady decrease in the percentage functional wood at an earlier age. At 12 inches diameter a healthy tree will regenerate enough new growth (90% or greater functional wood) to maintain tree growth and adequate sugar production to maintain tree health. This wood is the stained non-productive wood that you see in cross sections of maples that have been tapped. Non-functional is the dead wood that is left behind as a result of tapping. Functional wood is new growth wood, the kind you can tap and get peak production. The study compared the percentage of functional and non-functional wood in the trees of different diameter and applications. van den Berg found out was that the current conservative tapping guidelines of 12 inches in diameter minimum size was appropriate for tubing systems using modern high vacuum collection systems. High yield was operations with vacuum systems using 20 plus inches of vacuum to collect sap. Abby van den Berg at Proctor at high yield sugar bushes throughout Vermont. This is where a recent study done by the University of VT Proctor Lab adds clarity to the ongoing debate. Depending on whether you follow the traditional or the conservative guidelines you will be tapping a tree no smaller in diameter than 10 to 12 inches. ![]() To do this, we follow a set of tapping guidelines that are published in the North American Maple Syrup Manual. First, we need to take a look at the trees and determine which ones to tap. It is more important how you tap than when you tap. Making a mistake the first attempt can screw up the whole season. ![]() The first thing to remember about tapping trees, whether you tap early or late, is that you only have one chance to get it right. There appears to be as many theories on tapping as there are tap holes. If you frequent a maple chat forum such as Maple Trader you hear a lot of speculation on when, where, and how to tap. The recent warm spell had many maple producers fired up and ready to tap. ![]()
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