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Tree Tapping

Only in White Wood
All tap holes must be drilled into healthy, clean, white wood. It is recommended that the sugarmaker not tap any further than necessary…generally a depth of not more than 1½ inches is recommended. When dark colored wood shows in a hole, that tap should not be used. A bad tap hole will yield little or no sap, and may spoil the flavor of large amounts of syrup.

Clean the Tap Holes
Spouts should be inserted immediately after drilling; they should be tapped in gently to avoid any unnecessary damage to the tree. When removing any wood chips, use a twig or other clean tool to brush them out. Blowing into the hole to remove chips is an unsanitary practice which will contaminate the tap hole.

WARNING! Para-formaldehyde pellets may NOT be used!
In the past, para-formaldehyde pellets were recommended for use in tap holes; some out-of-date sugaring manuals are still in existence which suggest their use. It has been found that the use of para-formaldehyde pellets can damage the maple tree, and they are now illegal. Similarly, the use of denatured alcohol as a disinfectant for tapholes is not approved in the state of Maine.

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