Past week update

The 2009 maple sap flow season drew to a close in many areas of southern Ontario over the past week.  In earliest southern areas, dormant buds on sugar maple trees started to grow to 1/8 to 1/4 inch as warmer daytime and night time temperatures dominated in earliest southwestern areas.  Many producers along the north shore of lake Ontario reported pulling taps out of trees as their sap flow season ended.   

Northern, central and eastern maple producing regions continued with fair sap flows reported during the week and sugar maple trees still remained dormant by the end of the week.  Areas north and east of Simcoe County to the Kawartha region experienced 2 or more good sap flow events during the week as freezing nights and thawing days brought sap flow conditions.

Many producers across the province report mostly medium grade syrup was produced with fewer farms reporting extra light and light syrup produced.  Dark grades of syrup were being produced in most regions by mid-week.   

Although it is still too early to provide exact syrup production numbers across the province, many maple producers are reporting 75% of a crop up to 100% a normal crop of 1.1 litres syrup / tap this year.  In each region, a few producers report they have surpassed 100% of a normal crop.  Very few small areas, sporadically across the province report 30% to 50% of a normal syrup crop this year.   Ottawa areas reported anywhere from 70 to 100% a normal crop so far with extra light, light and medium grades of syrup produced.

Preliminary reports from Quebec indicate Quebec maple producers are having a fairly good syrup production season so far for 2009 and many northern areas of Quebec continue to process new syrup.  Not certain of the ‘price per pound’ yet that Quebec maple syrup buyers will set for maple.

New York and Vermont maple researchers report that as of April 6, late-area syrup producers continue to collect sap at higher elevations and northern U.S. regions continue to process new syrup, while southern U.S. maple regions are now ended their season.  Many New York and Vermont maple producers report an average to above average syrup crop this year of mostly medium and dark grades of syrup, very little production of light grades reported.

Coming week predictions

In northern and eastern regions of the province, weather forecasts for this upcoming week predict ideal sap flow conditions are expected from Wednesday and into the approaching weekend.  Producers in the Grey / Bruce County region report that this will be the final week of sap collection where mostly dark grades of syrup are expected.  Regions in the Algonquin area up to North Bay and north of Lanark County may still have good sap runs later this coming week where tree buds are still dormant. 

Producers in these late areas may still collect a significant amount of sap and syrup crop as the potential for more sap flow continues.  All producers should watch and taste-test their sap frequently for buddy flavour where maple trees break dormancy and begin spring growth.  

Maple producers who are still collecting sap should continue to keep a close watch for buddy flavour sap.  Buddy flavour sap is now showing up in southern regions of the province as the dormant buds on maple trees will continue to expand and grow as spring approaches.  Buddy sap that is processed into syrup will have off-flavours which can spoil a batch of good syrup if added unknowingly.  Buddy off-flavoured sap will likely occur in southern regions this coming week, which is not acceptable for processing into syrup.

Cleaning and Sanitizing 

Ideally, hot water can be used as often as possible to maintain sap collection and maple processing equipment in an adequately clean condition.  Sanitizing chemicals approved for use on sap collection, storage equipment and maple syrup processing equipment should only be used during the processing season only if absolutely necessary.  If sanitizing chemicals are necessary, producers should follow the recommended practices with adequate rinsing with clean potable water to safeguard the purity and quality of maple syrup.  It is essential that any sanitizers or other products being used for maple syrup production have been identified as registered or approved for use by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).   The correct CFIA website listing approved sanitizers is http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/protra/protrae.shtml .

End of season work   

This coming week to the end of April, many syrup producers will busy packing or bottling syrup for immediate market needs or securing bulk storage of finished syrup for bottling later as markets demand syrup.  

It is also important to clean sap collection equipment as soon as possible now that temperatures can warm quickly across the province with spring.  In sugary residue, bacteria and molds can form quickly inside sap collection equipment with warmer weather, which can make clean up at a later date very difficult.  Wash and rinse buckets, tubing and sap storage tanks with clean potable water as soon as possible.  Allow the equipment to thoroughly dry before placing it in dry storage out of direct sunlight in a well ventilated area for the off-season.  Sap tubing that is permanently installed in the sugar bush should be washed with pressurized potable water and blown clear of water to allow tubing to be dry during the off-season.

New maple producers are asking, what is the best time to pull spouts from maple trees after the season is finished?  Keep in mind that the goal of tapping maple trees is to collect sap with as little injury to the trees as possible, and then allow the trees to heal up the drilled tap holes as quickly as possible.  Spouts should be pulled from trees before the trees begin to grow new wood this coming spring, which will be very soon.  Spouts should be removed prior to new green leaf tissue appearing from dormant buds.  The fastest wood growth and tap-hole healing occurs in the spring and early summer.  Spouts remaining in the trees during early wood growth will not allow the tap holes to heal and close properly.  The sooner taps are removed from trees the better.  Many experienced maple producers have already completed spout removal this year in early areas of the province.

This maple production agriphone report has been prepared by Todd Leuty, Agroforestry Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.  Questions or comments regarding the report are welcome at e-mail todd.leuty@ontario.ca or by calling (519) 826-3215.