Collecting Maple Sap
The traditional way of collecting maple sap to produce maple syrup is with buckets. The use of buckets has both pros and cons.
The more modern way of collecting maple sap to produce maple syrup is with tubing systems. The use of tubing has both pros and cons.
Tubing systems have begun to dominate maple sap production in Pennsylvania. Currently, four of every five maple producers use some tubing. Utilization of tubing decreases the labor involved in sap collection and may allow a producer to spend time more efficiently. This publication outlines the proper way to install a tubing system. It is designed to be used by those new to using tubing systems
Aerial tubing systems are set up so that at every step in the process the sap is flowing down hill or is under some sort of positive pressure. Dips in the line will reduce flow dramatically. This should be considered at all steps of the installation process.
Aerial tubing systems are set up so that at every step in the process the sap is flowing down hill or is under some sort of positive pressure. Dips in the line will reduce flow dramatically. In general, a tubing system consists of a storage tanks with a mainline feeding sap into it. The sap runs from the tree through a spile, and into the dropline, from there it goes into the lateral through a mainline connector through the mainline and into the storage tank.
To increase your sap flow from your aerial tubing system, consider adding an artificial vacuum to the system.
Upgrading your Sap Collection Method
