Entering and Judging a Maple Syrup and Maple Confections Contest
Entering a maple syrup/confection contest is a fun activity that can lead to assurance that you are producing the highest quality product possible.
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Choose wisely when selecting where to tap
Knowing when, where, and how to tap is critical to making good maple syrup and keeping trees healthy.
Evaluation of Sugar Maple Dieback Trends in the Upper Great Lakes Region
Crown dieback and declines in tree health of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) have been reported on various land ownerships in the western Upper Great Lakes region in recent years (MDNR 2009, 2010, 2012). In some areas, the crown dieback has affected high-value crop trees. Historically, sugar maple dieback (fig. 10.1) has been reported more frequently in the eastern part of its range and has not been described on the same scale in the Great Lakes region since the 1950s and 1960s (Bal and others 2015, Millers and others 1989). As a result, fewer studies of canopy health of sugar maple exist in the Midwest than in the Eastern United States.
Measuring Sap Flow
Keeping track of the amount of sap being collected is important for maintaining high yields and minimizing losses. This article explains how to measure sap using counters mounted on releasers.
The 3/16 phenomenon
Using smaller-diameter tubing can create a natural vacuum which can increase sap production. This article details some research into this method of sap collection, and offers tips on some practical applications.
Annual Meeting Research Presentations
Summaries of research presentations at the 2014 annual NAMSC meeting.
A Mathematical Model for Maple Sap Exudation
Sap exudation refers to the process whereby sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum) are capable of generating significant stem pressure in a leafless state, something that occurs to a lesser extent in only a few other related species such as birch and walnut. This exudation pressure is what causes maple sap to flow from a taphole in sufficient quantities to be harvested and processed into syrup. Exudation has been studied for well over 100 years and has been the subject of many scientific studies, but there is as yet no definitive explanation for how such large pressures can be generated in the absence of transpiration (i.e., when no photosynthesis occurs to drive the flow of sap).
Producing Syrup from Black Walnut Trees in the Eastern United States
Though it is not well known, all species of walnut (Juglans spp.) produce a sweet sap that can be boiled down into valuable syrup. There is a well-established resource of black walnut (Juglans nigra) trees throughout eastern North America that could be utilized for syrup production to complement existing sugaring operations.
Maintaining a Healthy Sugarbush
Knowing how to properly maintain your sugar bush — a maple producer’s most valuable resource — is a critical skill.
Cleaning Tubing Systems
There are a number of ways to clean tubing systems to avoid microbial contamination of tapholes and sap.