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- [Mark] This is Mark Isselhardt,

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maple specialist with the
University of Vermont Extension,

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and this is another Vermont Maple Minute.

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The 2021 Vermont maple
season has come to an end.

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The official crop totals will
not be released from the USDA

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until sometime in June.

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Reports from sugar makers around the state

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describe a tough season for production.

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Many producers reported seeing

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lower than average sap
sweetness this season,

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which contributed to
reduced syrup production.

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There are many factors

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which influence sugar
concentration of maple sap.

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Some factors are related
to the growing conditions

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in the previous year or earlier.

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Dry conditions can cause trees
to ramp down photosynthesis,

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which reduces the total sugar
produced in a given year.

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While it is not entirely clear

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how strong a factor drought
is on sap sweetness,

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it will have a negative impact.

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Many but not all Vermont sugar bushes

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saw dry conditions in 2020.

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Another important factor is
the weather during the season.

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The first half of March was
too cold for good sap flow

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and the unseasonably warm
temperatures at the end of March

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and beginning of April

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also impacted sap yield and sap quality.

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This is Mark Isselhardt,

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maple specialist with
University of Vermont Extension,

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and this has been another
Vermont Maple Minute.