Learn to Tap a Tree for Sap (For Making into Syrup)

Tapping trees for sap is simple and only requires a few tools. You will need a drill, 5/16” bit, spiles and hooks, and a bucket. In this video I share the best location for tapping the tree, and spacing if installing more than one spile. Trees should be tapped when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32°F) and at night, below freezing.

Any maple tree variety will produce sap. Their sugar content is simply different and only the sugar maple will produce the sweetest sap for syrup. Other trees also produce edible sap, though the flavor of the finished syrup will differ from maple syrup.

It takes 40 gallons of maple sap to boil into just one gallon of syrup. Stay tuned for processing videos.

You can also tap the following:

Maple (Sugar, Silver, Black, Red, Norway, Big Leaf):
40 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup
Tap when daytime temperatures rise above 32 degrees Fahrenheit and fall below at night.

Birch (European White, Paper, Yellow, Black, Gray, River)
110 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup
Tap when daytime temperatures are 40-50F (4.4-10C

Box Elder
60 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup
Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Black and English Walnut
60 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup
Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Butternut
60 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup
Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Sycamore
40 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup
Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Palm
88 parts of sap yields 11 parts finished syrup (source)
Can be tapped year round

Gorosoe
40 parts of sap yields 1 part of finished syrup (source)
Tap when daytime temperatures are above 32F (0C) and nighttime temperatures are below

Other edible tappable tree varieties include Linden/Basswood, Ironwood, Alder and more. Pine trees can be tapped, however, their sap is very resinous and used for resin and turpentine.

Be sure to always tap trees that measure 10” (25.4cm) in diameter or more so as not to damage the heartwood. A tree measuring this size can withstand one tap. A tree measuring 20” (50.8cm) can handle two. Finally, a tree measuring larger than 25” (63.5cm) in diameter may have three taps. Never install more than three taps per tree. When installing multiple taps, always place them at an absolute minimum of 6”to 8” (15.24 to 20.32cm) apart from one another.