NAMP has followed tree health and survival over a seven-year period. Trees that close tapholes rapidly following the sugaring year produce more clear sapwood for future tapping. High dieback can be used as a signal to limit the number of tap holes. NAMP has found that vigorous trees tend to have fewer than 2 open tapholes in the summer following tapping. The impact of stress from defoliation or adverse weather on trees depends on many factors, such as the conditions of trees prior to the disturbance, the site where the trees are growing, and the timing and duration of the disturbance.
Healthy trees translate into good growth, higher sap volume, and more resistant trees.
A healthy stand begins with the site. While sugar maples grow on a variety of soils and sites, less healthy trees can be expected on less favorable sites. Once a stand starts to decline, it is difficult for overstory trees to recover. Tapping Guidelines 1 New Hampshire's maple trees went into dormancy in very good health with large reserves of stored food. Since each stand is different, site quality is an important factor, and an on-site assessment by a forester may be crucial to protecting your investment.