Some day, when northern Wisconsin finally warms, the maple sap will start to flow. However, I have felled a fist full of maple trees. Will the sap come gurgling out of the remaining stump like a bubbler? (a Milwaukee term for drinking fountain). Or does the root system need a tree to start sucking the sap upwards when the temperature is right?

Frank.

The sap will flow out. But not as a bubbler! If your sump is high enough, I'm guessing that you might be able to tap it. I do know that a cut birch releases quite a bit of sap.

The sap will rise until the fresh wood dries out. And I'd argee with musher, if the stump is tall enough, you could tap it. (P.S. It's traditional to cut the tree down after the sap is gathered. ) -- Hal

Yeah, I'm not a sap tapper. I cut these trees down during the winter months to avoid the wood being full of sap to hasten seasoning. I was just fantasizing that these stumps would gurgle themselves full of sap then crystalize to form a natural bait station where critters could satisfy their sweet tooth. I've seen gray squirrels work on a leaky wound on a maple tree. Again, just dreaming.

Frank.