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The
sap spile is basically a tube-like unit inserted into a hole
bored into the tree. It may also feature a hook to allow a sap
bucket to be attached. Some older and larger trees can have
up to four taps inserted at one time. The 7/16" or 5/16"
hole is straight, not tapered. However, to hold the spile in
place, a taper is needed for the friction fit.
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Progression
of sap spiles, wooden, hollow and cast. |
The
earliest spiles were carved of wood and were basically
just hollow tubes. Suitable woods with a pithy core that could
be pushed out, such as sumac, elderberry and willow, were used
to make them. The next progression was a carved unit (see photo)
that had a notch or wire hook to hold a pail for the sap. From
there it was an easy progression to metal, so the spiles could
be used for years. There were two popular types, cast (see photo)
or rolled sheet metal. Our particular "What Is It"
could be an ingenious homemade interpretation of Patent #39,155,
a device for making sap spiles, or an original model by a progressive
thinker who fancied himself an inventor. There is no way to
know.
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| Modern cast version in use. |
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