- This is Mark Isselhardt,
Maple Specialist with the University of Vermont Extension,
and this is another Vermont Maple Minute.
A recent survey of licensed foresters,
working with Vermont landowners,
asked about approaches to sugarbush management
and how they view maple syrup production in terms
of alternatives to long-term timber management,
or other goals.
The 32 foresters who took part in the survey
collectively helped manage nearly 180,000 acres in Vermont.
On average, each forester helps manage about 5,500 acres
of sugarbush in Vermont,
and the average size of sugarbush is just over 150 acres.
Of course, there are parcels, large and small,
and the management considerations differ greatly
depending on location, site quality,
additional management goals for the property,
and if the landowner is also the sugar maker,
or if the property is leased to another individual.
What is clear from the survey results,
is that virtually all foresters surveyed believe
that sugarbush management is a sustainable land use.
Of course, seeing that good sugarbush management is done,
is critical to ensuring long term sustainability
of sugaring, timber management, or any other goal.
This is Mark Isselhardt,
Maple Specialist with the University of Vermont Extension,
and this has been another Vermont Maple Minute.