a sappy question that\'s really about sap!

RRP · March 2010

long story but recently I drove one small screw and one small brass brad into a maple tree to hold a squirrel guard. You would have thought I cut the jugular vein of a small animal! Those weep with a steady drip drip drip. I've noticed that they don't start weeping until mid morning which I assume is triggered by day light. I've tried to plug the holes by removing the offending metal and compressing in some soft caulk. That has just slowed the weeping down. I'm afraid I might be doing some serious damage. The tree is 8" in diameter at a point 7 foot from the ground. Any opinions would be appreciated!

Boilermaker Ben · March 2010

collect it...make syrup.

If I recall correctly, the Good Eats episode about syrup said that most maple sap is collected during the months when temps are cold at night and warm during the day. So I think it's triggered by rising temps, more than by sunlight (though I suppose that would still be sunlight...just indirect).

Richard Fl · March 2010

How about a pail under the drip for some fresh syrup??

fishlessman · March 2010

its sap season, you cant hurt that tree with what youve done

it will stop in a few weeks to a month on its own, ive sapped 4 inch trees and they did fine when i was a kid, was neat doing it once making the syrup :laugh:

RRP · March 2010

Thanks guys - I feel better now! As for collecting the sap, I'd have to get in line behind a steady stream of these gray squirrels who lap it up!

Capt Frank · March 2010

Maple infused roasted squirrel! :evil: Umm, umm

Capt Frank
Homosassa, FL

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker · March 2010

well. we drill as many as four 3/8" holes in the things year after year and it never hurts.

save it and boil off the water and you'll have maple syrup on the cheap

ranger ray · April 2010

the tree won't be hurt at all....if you're really freaked.... call you're local county forestry offfice for peace of mind.... rr

a sappy question that\'s really about sap!

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