Sap Dripping From Maple Leaves

Question

If I tapped the maple trees in the spring, would this reduce or stop the sap from dripping from the leaves? This year it has been the worst I have seen it in twenty years.

Answer 1

I would simply leave it alone, unless you want to make some syrup from it. Typically, trees such as maples will "bleed sap" in the spring from openings or wounds in the aerial parts of the tree. Once the foliage elongates, the sap usually stops flowing.