Maximizing Maple Sap Yields

[@bobber006]

Great information!

[@UVMProctorMapleResearchCenter]

Thank you Jim. Glad you like the videos.

[@calvinedwards8576]

Thanks do! Great info but now now I’m confused. The other recent studies seem to show that 3/16 under good natural vacuum out performs 5/16. The graph shows 20% decrease with 3/16. Can you say more about this? Thanks!

[@UVMProctorMapleResearchCenter]

All other things being equal, it all depends upon the vacuum level achieved. If you use pumped vacuum, but your slope allows good natural vacuum, the effect is additive. So maybe for example you get 22" Hg from the pump, and an additional 5" from natural vacuum with 3/16" tubing. However, UNLESS you maintain the 3/16" very well with proper sanitation practices to eliminate clogging, after a few yrs you'll find the 3/16" tubing underperforms 5/16" in a pumped vacuum setting. For more info, see: mapleresearch.org/pub/1219tubing-2/

[@UVMProctorMapleResearchCenter]

Also, I think you may be confusing 3/16" SPOUTS and 3/16" TUBING. Normally, 5/16" (or 19/64") spouts are used, whether the tubing is 3/16" or 5/16". Most "micro" spouts are 5/32" or thereabouts, but these show a significant reduction in sap yield compared to 5/16" spouts. We don't recommend them for this reason, although they do produce a smaller internal wound.

[@calvinedwards8576]

Ok, thank you! So 5/16 spouts. Got it. Does the 3/16 tubing start then at the spout (with an adapter on the spout to 3/16 tubing) or do you run 5/16 tubing from the spout (tap line) to lateral/mainline?

[@calvinedwards8576]

My slope is about 30%. Very steep.

[@calvinedwards8576]

I’m a practicing food safety guy - registered sanitarian- so I get sanitation.

[@Tonnsfabrication]

This was awesome info.

[@UVMProctorMapleResearchCenter]

Glad you liked it

[@andregrondin1204]

top notch videos

[@UVMProctorMapleResearchCenter]

Thanks for the comment

[@TheLuke1184]

Hi, I had read / was told that drop lines should be of 5/16" tubing even if going into 3/16" lines so as to not "suck bacteria back into the hole"...is there any truth to this? In other words, so I need both 3/16" tubing and 5/16" for drop lines?

[@UVMProctorMapleResearchCenter]

There will be less backflow of sap into the taphole if you use 5/16" droplines instead of 3/16" droplines, but you could still use 3/16" droplines if you wish. CV spouts might be more helpful in that case.

[@TheLuke1184]

@@UVMProctorMapleResearchCenter Thanks, that makes sense.