- [Mark] This is Mark Isselhardt,
Maple Specialist with the University of Vermont Extension,
and this is another Vermont Maple Minute.
The 2020 maple season in Vermont is underway.
Unlike 2019 and 2018,
the winter of 2020 has been relatively mild.
Operations with a large number of taps
began tapping after the first of the year,
and found relatively low snow depths in the woods.
This helped speed up the process.
There were periods of warm weather
that allowed for sap flow, and some of those producers
made their first syrup of 2020 in January.
Many other producers have waited to tap
until the forecast shows ideal weather is imminent.
Earlier reports therefore
do not represent all areas of the state,
and a complete picture of how the season has begun
will need to wait.
Here are a few reports from sugar makers around the state.
In Chittenden County, one operation reports
having over 50% of their taps done by January 24th.
The sap that has been collected
has tested at one and a quarter percent sugar or less.
This operation estimates
it has produced roughly 3% of the expected crop.
And says early run in January helped us tighten up the woods
and make some good tasting amber rich syrup.
A producer in a cold area of Lamoille County
reports no sap flow over the last week.
This producer had over 50% of their taps in by February 4th.
A small producer in Lamoille County
in a relatively warm area
notes they have not tapped yet,
but are looking at the long range weather.
And since it only takes two days to tap,
they'll wait 'till then.
In Franklin County, a producer reports
having over 50% of their taps done by January 13th.
And while no sap flowed over the last week,
sap was collected earlier
and tested below one and a quarter percent sugar.
The syrup made so far has been dark robust
with no off flavors detected.
This producer estimates
reaching about 2% of the expected crop.
For more reports such as these,
check out the sugaring season blog,
the Vermont Maple Bulletin
by searching for UVM Maple Extension.
This is Mark Isselhardt,
Maple Specialist with the University of Vermont Extension.
And this has been another Vermont Maple Minute.