1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,300 - [Mark] This is Mark Isselhardt, Maple Specialist 2 00:00:02,300 --> 00:00:04,130 with University of Vermont Extension. 3 00:00:04,130 --> 00:00:06,370 This is a Vermont Maple Minute. 4 00:00:06,370 --> 00:00:08,360 Tap hole and tubing sanitation. 5 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:10,750 Like people, plants have strong mechanisms 6 00:00:10,750 --> 00:00:12,720 to prevent the spread of microorganisms 7 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:13,850 within their tissues. 8 00:00:13,850 --> 00:00:15,920 Trees are capable of walling off wounds 9 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:18,860 to prevent infections from spreading throughout the tree. 10 00:00:18,860 --> 00:00:21,110 This healing process also slows, 11 00:00:21,110 --> 00:00:24,280 and eventually stops, the flow of sap from tap holes. 12 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:26,780 By using good tapping sanitation practices, 13 00:00:26,780 --> 00:00:28,730 such as replacing spouts each year, 14 00:00:28,730 --> 00:00:31,390 periodically changing portions of the tubing system, 15 00:00:31,390 --> 00:00:33,460 using good tubing cleaning procedures, 16 00:00:33,460 --> 00:00:34,970 or having check valve spouts, 17 00:00:34,970 --> 00:00:36,820 maple producers are able to achieve 18 00:00:36,820 --> 00:00:39,230 significantly higher yields from trees 19 00:00:39,230 --> 00:00:41,370 by delaying the response to wounding. 20 00:00:41,370 --> 00:00:44,090 The response from wounding does eventually take place 21 00:00:44,090 --> 00:00:46,290 generally at the end of the maple season 22 00:00:46,290 --> 00:00:47,680 when leaves start to come out 23 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:50,050 and the tap hole closes off for good. 24 00:00:50,050 --> 00:00:51,860 This has been a Vermont Maple Minute. 25 00:00:51,860 --> 00:00:53,950 I am Mark Isselhardt, maple specialist 26 00:00:53,950 --> 00:00:55,800 with University of Vermont Extension.