BACK TO HOME
Headlines
Frozen trees are better for tapping, sugarmaker experts say
Peter Gregg | January 11, 2024
SYRACUSE, N.Y.—Take it from the pros, tap the trees while they’re frozen, not when they’re running.
“I like to tap when the trees are cold,” said Mike Parker, of 100,000-tap Parker Maple Farm in West Chazy, N.Y. during the NYS Maple Conference last weekend. “When it’s warm, we’re chasing leaks.”
Parker was one of several sugarmakers interviewed by the Maple News who said that ice cold trees are the best conditions for tapping.
“The holes drill much cleaner,” said Raymond Gingerich, who taps 10,000 in Orwell, Ohio.
Both sugarmakers said that if a producer taps a tree and sap comes out of the hole, they’ve already missed a run. “You’re getting there too late,” Gingerich said.
Drills have been humming across the Maple Belt since the turn of the year, with sugarmakers tapping and many making syrup already.
Frozen trees have been a little hard to come by in the Northeast, with another mild January and even milder December. [ MORE ]
Long list of topics for maple show this weekend
Peter Gregg | January 4, 2024
SYRACUSE, N.Y.—The Mid-Winter Maple Classic in central New York is returning this weekend after a one-year absence. Walk-ins are welcome but are not guaranteed a meal ticket and will be responsible for their own breakfast and lunch arrangements.
Friday, January 5 - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Attendee Registration opens at 4pm
Browse the Trade Show
There will be Pizza and cash bar starting at 6 pm.
Saturday, January 6 - 8 am - 4:30 pm
Full trade show all day
There will be multiple 1-hour workshop sessions at 9:00 am and 10:30 am, and 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm
[ MORE ]
Mid-Winter Maple Classic returns to Syracuse this weekend
Peter Gregg | January 3, 2024
SYRACUSE, N.Y.—The big show in central New York is returning this weekend after a one-year absence.
Walk-ins are welcome at the door.
The NYS Mid-Winter Maple Classic is this Friday and Saturday, January 5-6 at the OnCenter in downtown Syracuse.
The show will include a full slate of 27 different expert speakers, seminars and a huge trade show. [ MORE ]
Producers worried about terrible looking trees
Peter Gregg | September 29, 2023
RUPERT, Vt.—It’s not your imagination. The trees look terrible this fall.
Many folks are noticing the horrible appearance of the leaves on the maples in many areas of the Northeast.
Trees have looked spotted and a dull yellowish brown.
UVM Extension maple expert Mark Isselhardt said in the past couple of weeks he’s been fielding phone calls from worried producers.
Isselhardt said there is nothing unusual going on. Trees are mostly done making their sugar as of July.
He blamed most of the situation on the extreme wet weather we've had in the Northeast this summer. [ MORE ]
Plan now to attend the Lake Erie Maple Expo
| September 14, 2023
ALBION, Pa.—The Lake Erie Maple Expo in Northwestern PA gives lots of learning opportunities and insight into the art of Maple Syrup.
The show will feature classes for the expert as well as for the hobbyist.
This year, producers will have five workshop topics to choose from.
A sample agenda for the Friday Workshops potentially includes;
● Maple Tubing Installation layout and design
● Maple Confections and Value Added Maple Products
● A Maple Workshop for Beginners
● Advanced Tubing & Vacuum
[ MORE ]
Seal up your sap collection tanks
Peter Gregg | July 11, 2023
SHELBURNE FALLS, Mass.—Sealing up the tanks makes for cleaner sap.
Hunter Sessions, 22, and father Criag Sessions of Winston’s Sugar House in Shelburne Falls, Mass. have sealed up thier sap collection tanks airtight.
“You try to keep the sap as clean as you can before you process it,” Craig Sessions said.
“You don't want it filling up with rainwater or any other contaminants in there.”
Hunter said the less particles or dirt in the tank, the better it is for the RO membranes. [ MORE ]
Vermont maple recognizes outstanding sugarmakers
| June 27, 2023
RICHFORD, Vt.—The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association (VMSMA) presented the 2023 Annual Maple Awards and announced winners of their first annual maple contest at their annual meeting held on Saturday.
Outstanding Sugar Maker Award was given to Cody Armstrong, of Randolph Center, Vt.
Armstrong represents the next generation of Vermont sugar makers by focusing on achieving high yields, producing high quality syrup, and contributing to the vitality of the Vermont maple industry, the VMSMA said.
Amstrong has also shown interest in supporting students interested in maple by volunteering at the Vermont FFA Maple Career Development Event and looks forward to mentoring the next generation of sugar makers. [ MORE ]
Special
Subscription
Fall
Sale!
© 2025 The Maple News