Year: 2016

Showing 31 – 38 of 38 resources

Things You Can Do to Ensure the Quality of Your Maple Syrup

After producing maple syrup for over 40 years and teaching seminars on maple syrup production for close to 20, I have made or personally witnessed most of the common mistakes that lead to off flavors and poor syrup quality. In this article I will go over some, but certainly not all, of the factors that lead to poor syrup quality. The good news is that most of the factors can be controlled by producers with best practices, in turn meaning you control the quality of your syrup. The Map of Maple Off Flavors (linked above) identifies 5 primary areas where off flavors occur: Mother Nature, defoamer, processing, chemicals and others. I want to address each area in order of how they would occur from start of season to finish.

Date:
February 14, 2016

Growth Rates of Sugar Maple Trees Tapped for Maple Syrup Production Using High-Yield Sap Collection Practices

The amount of sap that can be extracted annually from trees for maple syrup production using current equipment and practices is more than double the typical yields achievable when current maple industry tapping guidelines were developed. The growth rates of trees tapped with these Òhigh-yieldÓ practices at 18 sites in Vermont were measured and evaluated to determine whether they were sufficient for the replenishment of conductive wood to remain at sustainable levels when current tapping guidelines are followed.

Publication:
Forest Science
Date:
February 1, 2016

Woods Whys: How Do Trees Heal Wounds on Trunks and Branches?

In order to survive, trees must overcome their injuries. But technically they donÕt heal their wounds, at least not the way that human and animal bodies repair, restore, or replace damaged cells or tissue. Trees are built in layers of cells that are bound by rigid walls in a modular, compartmented way. This structure dictates their wound response.

Publication:
Northern Woodlands
Date:
January 19, 2016

Maple Dropline Assembly and Installation

This video goes over how to make and install a dropline into your lateral. A dropline has a tap and a tee on it and allows the maple sap to go into your lateral tubing and into the mainline.

Date:
January 2, 2016

Maple Syrup Quality Control Manual

The most important contribution to the production of high quality maple syrup and syrup products is cleanliness and attention to detail in all parts of the production process. This manual provides guidance for doing so.

Date:
January 1, 2016

History of Northeastern US Maple Syrup Price Trends

Average annual percentage rates of change (APR) in maple syrup prices (average gallon equivalent price in the United States) in seven northeastern United States and their aggregated region were determined for the years 1916 to 2012. The price trend lines were then compared on state-by-state and region-by-state basis.

Publication:
Forest Products Journal
Date:
January 1, 2016