- [Mark] This is Mark Isselhardt, Maple Specialist
with University of Vermont Extension.
This is a Vermont Maple Minute.
Tap hole and tubing sanitation.
Like people, plants have strong mechanisms
to prevent the spread of microorganisms
within their tissues.
Trees are capable of walling off wounds
to prevent infections from spreading throughout the tree.
This healing process also slows,
and eventually stops, the flow of sap from tap holes.
By using good tapping sanitation practices,
such as replacing spouts each year,
periodically changing portions of the tubing system,
using good tubing cleaning procedures,
or having check valve spouts,
maple producers are able to achieve
significantly higher yields from trees
by delaying the response to wounding.
The response from wounding does eventually take place
generally at the end of the maple season
when leaves start to come out
and the tap hole closes off for good.
This has been a Vermont Maple Minute.
I am Mark Isselhardt, maple specialist
with University of Vermont Extension.