Page 2 – Maple Research

Research into Designing a Walnut Specific Spile

During the 2019 sap season, Future Generations University, with funding from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, began a series of tapping studies on tree species other than maple. We tapped and made syrup from black walnut trees. We had trouble developing the expected natural vacuum on the 3/16-inch lines, even though they had plenty of slope. We assumed that the problem was related to vacuum leaks associated with a poor seal in the soft wood with the minimally tapered spouts.

Date:: April 1, 2020

Riparian Silver Maple and Upland Sugar Maple Trees Sap Sugar Parameters in Southern Illinois

Forty two upland sugar maple trees and 59 riparian silver maples were tapped in 2003 to characterize their sap sugar parameters within the southern Illinois region.

Publication:: Proceedings of the 14th Central Hardwood Forest Conference
Date:: March 16, 2004

Sanitation, Clogging, or Both: A Comparison Study of 3/16″ and 5/16″ Maple Tubing

It is well recognized that microbial contamination of tubing systems can result in a substantial loss in sap yield if untreated. Over a decade of research and maple industry experience has produced a range of possible strategies to address sanitation-related issues in 5/16Ó tubing systems (Perkins et. al. 2019). Although rapidly adopted by many maple producers, due to the relatively short time period in which it has been in widespread use, there is far less understanding of sanitation in 3/16Ó tubing systems (Wilmot 2018). To address this knowledge deficit, we conducted a multi-year study at the UVM Proctor Maple Research Center to examine sanitation-related losses in 3/16Ó tubing systems to determine which approach(es) might best mitigate sap losses due to sanitation.

Publication:: Maple Syrup Digest
Date:: December 1, 2019

Sap flow, wounding and compartmentalization in maple

Explains how sap flows in trees and the impact that tapping has on subsequent years’ sap flow.

Publication:: Maple News
Date:: March 16, 2021

Some in maple season and out of season tests on 3/16″ maple tubing

3/16″ tubing can provide some yield benefit by creating natural vacuum. That benefit will be directly related to the elevation drop of the lateral line.

Publication:: Maple Syrup Digest
Date:: October 1, 2014

The 3/16 phenomenon

Using smaller-diameter tubing can create a natural vacuum which can increase sap production. This article details some research into this method of sap collection, and offers tips on some practical applications.

Publication:: Maple News
Date:: December 1, 2014