The Tapper can be removed from a tree by hitting it once with an axe or pickaxe. This leaves the Tapper intact and able to be reused. If the Tapper is on a tree when it is struck by lightning or hit by an exploding bomb, both the Tapper and its contents are destroyed.
↑See Tree::UpdateTapperProduct in the game code. Tree type indexes can be deduced by looking at Tree::loadTexture and the Content\TerrainFeatures\ folder.
History
1.4: Fixed issue that could leave trees unchoppable if tapper was removed in unusual fashion. Tappers can now be stacked in a player's inventory and in chests.
1.5: Added the Heavy Tapper. Fixed bug where processing time was affected by the time of day.
1.6: Recipe is now learned at Foraging Level 4 instead of Level 3.