Anyone doing this? I've been reading about it and it sounds good. Any pros or cons to it?

I thought about trying it a few years back. The value of the wood is worth more than the syrup value, in my estimation. I can't bring myself to bore a hole into wood that can be of that value.

What would you use the sap for?I know about maple.

RKG, From what I gather, your just drilling the sap wood. But who knows if that affects price? Coydog, same use as maple, supposed to have a nutty flavor to it.

I thought that It wouldn't hurt the trees value. But I have talked to some loggers and if the tree Is considered a veneer log It will lose value If It's tapped.

I don't know crap about tapping trees. However, why can't you just tap it lower to the ground?

If you tap a maple tree and expect it applies to other kinds as well. The bark, will grow over in several years, however the hole remains. I have sawn logs with bore holes . There is a dead boat shape above and below the hole, extends about 6 inches up and down. If it is a lumber quality tree , I wouldn't tap them. old243

That's what I thought but I was told the very bottom of the tree Is also very valuable. I guess If your not going to log them off go for It.

How would anyone know if it’s been tapped?

Also how does a 1/4” hole in the tree affect the value of the wood? Woodpeckers make thousands of holes in trees all the time. Never here loggers talking about those dang woodpeckers.

Always wanted to try some. Never thought it sounded like it would taste good but would try it none the less.

Generally speaking taps are installed at shoulder, mid chest height. You will get staining in the wood from 6 inches to 2 feet above and some below the tap. Some veneer sells higher with at staining for its unique character if you can find the right market. Seen some really nice tables made from maple that had the tap hole in the wood. If you are not harvesting the walnut for lumber then I say... tap it. I would tap my walnut trees only because they have little value being yard trees and as straight as an accordion but Walnut makes my tongue swell up. Slight allergic reaction to walnuts. Not sure id the syrup would be any different or not. But those who have had walnut syrup tell me it has the nut flavor and is quite good.

Tap holes are if using newer taps 3 to 5/16 dia. and 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches deep. The tree heals at the sap wood but the hole remains. You can find the tap holes in trees looking at the bark once you know what your looking for.

never heard of doing walnut , only way you can hurt a walnut tree is if you leave metal in it , it will stain the wood a dark blue and no one will buy it

The tap height depends on weather your running tubing to your collection point or sitting buckets on the ground or hanging bags.

I would assume that the ratio of sap to finished syrup would be a lot higher then when tapping maples.

From what our weather looks like we will be tapping some time next week. We run about 90 taps and last year we finished about 50 gallons of syrup.

I would love to taste some black walnut syrup. I buy real maple syrup but it has bland sweet taste . I would like something with a bit of character to it.

Since we're on the subject of tapping. I new to this and have a question. Can you partially boil down the sap, let cool and store till you have enough to do a final boil? I don't have the means to store or time to do a whole bunch at a time.

Yes. Treat it like milk. If you freeze it you can do a poor mans RO. the sugar will freeze last.



Tap holes in tree if your interested.

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What grade are you getting? Light Amber will be like that. I like a dark amber for it's rich flavor and that's what I predominantly make.

Thanks Krispcritter.

I enjoy Sugaring. It's addictive.