Sweet maples
While it is possible to identify sweet trees through sap testing, the reasons why certain trees are sweet may be mostly genetic, and finding those genes may be no easy matter.
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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.
Tapping guidelines for current sap collection practices
Research into whether existing tapping guidelines are appropriate to use with ‘high yield’ sap collection practices which remove a much greater amount of a tree’s sap than older systems.
Tapping red maple
Sugarmakers should consider tapping red maples to supplement sap production from sugar maples.
Temperatures in the Sugarbush
One major limitation to the sap-run forecasting ability of many producers is that measurement of air temperature in one location does not capture the wide variation in air temperature throughout the sugarbush; nor does it accurately reflect the temperature of the diverse parts of trees, or of the soil. A study of the range of temperatures in the forest during sugaring time is helpful in understanding some of the influences of weather on sap flow. This article briefly summarizes a large set of data collected over the past years which includes many sugarbush temperatures, and will give a few examples of the sometimes unexpected variation in temperatures which occur during the spring.
Testing tapping depth vs. sap yield
Results from research into the impact of tap hole depth on sap yield.
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.
The aesthetics of sap collecting
A guide to keeping up appearances in your sugaring operation.
The maples of North America
A description of all the maple species native to North America.
The North American Maple project
The North American Maple Project, begun in 1988 with the goal of evaluating and monitoring trees from Nova Scotia to Minnesota, was initiated to answer many questions, which could be summed up as: what is the current health of sugar maple in these various regions, and is it getting better, worse, or staying the same?