Getting Started with Maple Tapping

Not only does tapping maple trees make for a delicious hobby but it’s also easy to do. Making your own tree-to-table maple syrup provides a delectable sense of satisfaction you can enjoy every time you make pancakes. If you’re new to maple tapping, here’s how to get started. 

What You’ll Need 

You’ll need a hammer for light tapping, 5/16” diameter spouts, a drill with a bit, sap collection containers, and of course a maple tree. Use a drill bit the same size or slightly smaller than the spouts so the spout will be flush with the wood. Sap collection containers should be food-grade and hold about one or two gallons. It should be covered to protect the sap from debris.  

Where to Place Maple Taps 

Before getting started on tapping any maple trees, measure the tree to determine how many taps you can place. A tree that is about 10 to 20 inches in diameter can support just one tap, while a larger tree can support two. Taps should be placed at a height of three feet for an optimal sap harvest. While tapping higher in busy areas may protect your sap collection buckets from disturbance, you won’t receive as much sap. It’s important to remember to rotate where you tap each year by six inches horizontally or 12 inches vertically so as not to harm the tree. 

How to Tap the Tree 

Tapping season is mid-February when the temperature is above freezing. Drilling a tap in freezing temps can cause damage. Before tapping you should have at least three days that are above freezing during the day and below freezing at night. The season ends in mid-March when buds begin to form and change the taste of the sap. Once you’ve checked the weather, you’re ready to begin. 

To prevent drilling too deep, use tape to mark your drill bit at 1 ½ inches. Drill straight to create a hole for the spout. For sap to drip out better you can also drill at a slight upwards angle. In perfect maple-tapping weather, the sap should start dripping right away. Next, place the spout in the hole you’ve just created. Tap it gently until you hear a thud of the spout embedded into the wood. Be careful not to drive in the spout too far as leakage around the spout is a sign of damage to the tree. You can either hang your sap collection container on the spout or for further security, install a metal hook into the tree above it. You may need to empty the containers as often as twice a day or as little as every few days depending on the weather and container size. If you don’t process the sap as soon as you collect it, store it in food-grade buckets outside to keep it cool. Warm sap will spoil so boil it as soon as you can. To make just one gallon of syrup, you’ll need to boil down 40 gallons of sap. If you lack the kitchen space for all that sap, you can use an outdoor fire.  

After Maple Tapping Season 

When the season ends, scrub your equipment with hot water. You may need to triple-rinse to get rid of buildup. Avoid using soap or detergent when cleaning, as this will leave a residue that will ruin the flavor of the syrup. Equipment should be stored in a dry place to keep them ready for the following year.