Maintaining a Healthy Sugarbush
Maple producers benefit from spending time, and maybe some money, ensuring they have a healthy and productive sugarbush.
Periodical: Maple Syrup Digest
Showing 101 – 110 of 218 resources
Sap Collection from Small-Diameter Trees
For several years, we conducted research on the collection of sap from small-diameter maple trees. This document outlines the basic concepts, techniques, and applications of this type of sap collection.
Planning for the Future of your Sugaring Operation
With an aging farmer population, including maple producers, more attention must be paid to how farmers can successfully transition out of active farming. At the same time, burgeoning interest in farming from young (and not so young) folks – many of whom do not come from farm backgrounds – offers creative transition opportunities. Older farmers can arrange for the continuing productive use of sugarbush and other productive lands.
Do Not Use Isopropyl Alcohol as a Maple Sanitizer in the U.S.
Regardless of the availability and guidance provided, maple producers should clearly understand that the use of isopropyl alcohol in maple tubing systems anywhere in the United States is a violation of federal law.
Evaluating Processing Methods to Produce Safe, Shelf Stable Maple Sap Beverages for Small Operations
In order for sugarmakers to take advantage of the newfound interest in maple sap beverages, processes must be developed that would allow small scale producers to process and package maple sap safely, efficiently, and economically. We investigated several methods that might be employed for seasonal markets during the harvest season of January-April.
Sap Prices
Table presenting suggested prices per gallon for a maple producer to purchase sap.
Sugarhouse Aesthetics: What The Public Sees
Some producers are willing to open up their sugarhouse doors to show the buying public how we make the sweet treat. Repeat customers know the quality of product produced, but for many consumers the operation’s aesthetics are critical to their purchasing habits.
Taphole Injury in Red Maple
Maple tapping guidelines, which specify the number of taps in relation to bole diameter, and the spacing and depth of tapholes, have been devised primarily using sugar maple wounding as a model. With its importance as a present and future resource for maple sap, it is critical that we extend our knowledge about taphole wounds to red maple so that, if necessary, these guidelines can be revised to include the proper and sustainable tapping of this species.
A Summary of Research to Improve Vacuum in Maple Tubing Systems
Research conducted at the University of Vermont Proctor Maple Research Center over several years to explore a variety of methods to potentially increase sap yields from tubing systems through modifications of the lateral/dropline portion of the sap collection system.
Ask Proctor
Q1: I’m considering switching from a flat pan to a larger pan with continuous flow, and keep hearing about the gradient. What is a gradient and why is it important? Q2: After a warm spell that made the sap stop running, a hard freeze made it start again so I collected and boiled. The syrup had an off-flavor. Why?