1 00:00:01,520 --> 00:00:03,830 - [Mark] This is Mark Isselhardt, Maple Specialist, 2 00:00:03,830 --> 00:00:06,080 with the University of Vermont Extension, 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:08,130 and this is another Vermont Maple Minute. 4 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:12,360 Sugar makers rely on healthy, abundant maple trees 5 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:15,030 to provide sap each spring. 6 00:00:15,030 --> 00:00:17,160 Taken together, a group of maple trees 7 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,823 managed for sap collection is called a sugar bush. 8 00:00:20,670 --> 00:00:22,890 Developing a healthy, productive sugar bush 9 00:00:22,890 --> 00:00:24,333 takes time and effort. 10 00:00:25,450 --> 00:00:28,090 Forests are highly competitive environments, 11 00:00:28,090 --> 00:00:30,500 with trees vying for water, nutrients, 12 00:00:30,500 --> 00:00:32,653 and perhaps most of all, light. 13 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:35,130 To maximize sap production, 14 00:00:35,130 --> 00:00:37,981 decisions need to be made about which trees to cut 15 00:00:37,981 --> 00:00:41,973 and which trees will receive more light to grow. 16 00:00:43,010 --> 00:00:44,550 Choosing which trees to save 17 00:00:44,550 --> 00:00:46,850 and which to cut can be difficult. 18 00:00:46,850 --> 00:00:50,090 However, growth of all trees will not reach their potential 19 00:00:50,090 --> 00:00:51,783 if allowed to be overcrowded. 20 00:00:53,150 --> 00:00:55,410 Maple trees with the best form, 21 00:00:55,410 --> 00:00:58,410 a lack of significant decay or other wounds, 22 00:00:58,410 --> 00:01:01,500 and a deep healthy crown will grow fastest 23 00:01:01,500 --> 00:01:03,023 and produce the most sap. 24 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:07,970 Retaining at least 25% non-sugar maple in your woods 25 00:01:07,970 --> 00:01:10,224 will help reduce the impact of maple pests 26 00:01:10,224 --> 00:01:13,573 and create a more robust forest ecosystem.