MAPLE SIRUP PRODUCERS MANUAL 



11 



PN-n09 



Figure 13. — A gasoline-powered portable tapping drill 

 with flexible shaft. 



PN-4711 



The power tapping drill permits drilling the 

 hole at different heights. 



rN-niii 

 Figure H. — An electric battery-powered tapping drill. 



The time required for new bark to grow over 

 a taphole depends on the health and vigor of 

 the tree. It is not uncommon to find the hole 

 nearly covered in a year (fig. 18). The hole itself 

 remains open, but fungus growth (109) may 

 occur in the new hole and stain the wood 

 several inches above and below the hole and an 

 inch or less to the side (figs. 19 and 20). 



Figure 16. — The taphole is bored into the tree 3 inches 

 deep. 



Life of a Taphole 



A taphole should be usable from the time it is 

 bored until the buds begin to swell and the 

 sirup acquires an unpalatable or buddy flavor. 

 In the past, the taphole often dried up within 3 

 or 4 weeks after the hole was bored. Drying up 

 is caused by growth of micro-organisms in the 



