An apparatus for tapping trees has a vertical support structure of posts that support upper and lower horizontal members extending from the vertical structure. The upper horizontal member provides a support for bearing against a tree trunk, and the lower horizontal member supports a combination of a drill block with a drill and a tap press. Forward and rearward movement of the drill block is operated by a motor, shafts and gears to drive a suspension member toward the tree trunk along travel rods and then reverse. A drive chain engaged with the gears is attached to the suspension member and incorporated in the front and rear blocks that support the travel rods and sprockets for the chain. The tap press is attached to the drill block and rotates from vertical to horizontal position and holds a tap cylinder for insertion into a tree trunk.