Tapholes in Sugar Maples: What Happens in the Tree

摘要

Sugar maple syrup production starts with wounding the tree by drilling a taphole. The tree is injured and discolored and decayed wood can result. If trees are tapped, every effort must be made to minimize injury while obtaining the desired amount of sap. Information about tapholes is given here for the benefit of the producer. Important points discussed are: compartmentalization of discolored and decayed wood associated with tapholes, tapping procedures that lead to cambial dieback around the hole, overtapping as related to greater use of mechanical tappers, and new information on the use of paraformaldehyde pills, which can lead to more decay in trees.