How to Tap a Walnut Tree for Sap
- 1). Locate trees with a diameter of 12 inches or more about 4 to 5 feet up from the ground. Very large trees will tolerate multiple taps, spaced about 12 inches apart from each other around the trunk.
- 2). Drill a hole upwards at a 5- to 10-degree angle into the trunk of the tree. Use a 1/2- to 1-inch drill bit to make a large enough opening for you to insert the stainless steel spile or tap. Match the drill bit to the size of the spile. Drill until you notice dark shavings coming out of the hole, signaling that you hit the heartwood of the walnut tree.
- 3). Tap the spile gently into the drilled hole using a wooden mallet. It should be a snug fit but you don't want to push it in too far or you run the risk of blocking off the flow of sap.
- 4). Hang a gallon-size bucket or larger under the spile to collect the sap. Check the bucket every day around 3 or 4 p.m. to empty the bucket. Continue to collect the sap for the next 10 to 15 days or until the sap stops running. Pull the spile from the tree so the hole will heal over during the summer.
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