The state of the maple industry – 2011
A summary of the current state of maple production in New England is based on surveys returned from approximately 220 sugarmakers in April, 2011.
Resource type: Research
Showing 231 – 240 of 361 resources
Identification of Microbial Spoilage in Maple Syrup Samples
An increasing number of maple syrup samples containing floating masses or surface mold have arrived at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Conventional practices have been to discard obvious mold growths, reboil and consume the syrup. This practice may be risky, especially with the increasing number of food borne illness outbreaks with other food products.
Estimating Twig Starch Content in Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum): Evaluation of the Visual Technique
Root starch has been used to estimate tree vigor and health with some success. A visual method of starch determination similar to that already used for roots has been undertaken for twigs. If successful, this method would simplify the process of assessing overall tree health and vigor in sugar maple trees.
Results from the 2011 New England tapping survey
Results of an annual survey conducted of New England sugarmakers, capturing information on production practices and results, such as types of equipment used, sap sugar content, sanitation practices, and other data.
Long-term impact of liming on growth and vigor of northern hardwoods
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) is a keystone species in the northern hardwood forest, and decline episodes have negatively affected the growth and health of sugar maple in portions of its range over the past 50+ years. Crown health, growth, survival, and flower and seed production of sugar maple were negatively affected by a widespread decline event in the mid-1980s on the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau in northern Pennsylvania. A long-term liming study was initiated in 1985 to evaluate responses to a one-time application of 22.4 MgáhaÐ1 of dolomitic limestone in four northern hardwood stands.
Root pressure in trees: a spring phenomenon
Root pressure occurs when the soil begins to warm, and when snow has melted, and icy water from snow melt has largely drained from the soil, forest soils warm quickly.
Why do some maple trees produce more sap?
Many researchers, in addition to many sugarmakers, have observed that there is a great range in the amount of sap produced from individual trees in a forest. Understanding, and perhaps predicting the different performances of the trees in a sugarbush is an aspect of maple physiology that remains fascinating.
2010 Sugaring Season Survey
In mid-April 2010, an invitation to participate in a survey was sent to subscribers of two maple forums. The survey was designed to get some basic information about the operations of the respondents, to describe sanitation practices (changing tubing, spouts, etc.) and to get feedback from users about the Leader Check-valve adapter.
Conducting and understanding experiments in maple operations
Research studies must follow certain rules in order for the findings to be valid. This column discusses a few of these simple rules: comparison of treatment vs. control, replication, dealing with natural variation, and statistical validity.
Energy use in maple operations
A summary of a presentation on energy efficiency in maple production.