Maple Syrup Season

Maple syrup season has begun! Sap from maple trees is collected during the tapping season -- between February and April. These are the months when temperatures are above freezing during the day and below freezing at night, making the sap flow.

As temperatures have climbed due to climate change, the industry has changed.

Recent advances in sap collecting methods have allowed the U.S. maple syrup industry to thrive. In the future, though, climate change is projected to alter the industry.

A rise in days above freezing in winter and early spring also raises the risk of damage that the forest tent caterpillar and pear thrip can cause to maple trees.

Next week we will review winter temperatures for your specific market. But with record warmth dominating much of the country this week, visit last year's Climate Matters release to help you discuss warming winter trends across the country.

References: Information is gathered from congressional testimony of Dr. Timothy Perkins, Director of University of Vermont’s Proctor Maple Research Center with additional projections from Skinner et al. (2010).