N o r t h A m e r i c a n Maple Syrup Producers Manual Second Edition Produced By Ohio State University Extension In Cooperation With The North American Maple Syrup Council EDITORS Randall B. Heiligmann, Ph.D. Professor, School of Environment and Natural Resources The Ohio State University Melvin R. Koelling, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Department of Forestry Michigan State University Timothy D. Perkins, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Director, Proctor Maple Research Center University of Vermont Bulletin 856 Copyright © 2006, The Ohio State University Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868 Reprinted 9/08—5M—?????? ii Maple Syrup Producers Manual ACKNOWLEDGMENTS For almost five decades maple producers have Chapter 4. Planning a Maple Syrup depended on and been well served by five edi- Operation tions of the North American Maple Sirup (Syrup) Dr. Melvin R. Koelling, Professor Emeritus, 1 Producers Manual . During that time there have Michigan State University been many changes in the maple industry, includ- ing changes in technology, in maple markets, and Chapter 5. Managing Maple Trees in marketing strategies. In 2001 Richard Nor- for Sap Production man reminded the North American Maple Syrup Dr. Randall B. Heiligmann, Professor, The Ohio Council of its commitment to periodically re- State University evaluate the need for revision of the 1996 manual. Dr. Peter Smallidge, State Extension Forester, At that time the decision was made to revise, Cornell University expand, and update the manual, and this edition is the result. Richard has served as the Council’s Dr. Gary W. Graham, Assistant Professor, The liaison with the editors throughout the process. Ohio State University Dr. Brian Chabot, Professor, Cornell University This edition of the manual was developed by inviting leaders from within the maple industry Chapter 6. Maple Sap Production— to contribute to the authorship of chapters or Tapping, COllection, and Storage portions of chapters addressing important aspects Mr. Dave Chapeskie, Agroforestry Specialist, of maple products production and marketing. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Twenty individuals were involved in providing Affairs information, drafting, and/or writing. Contribu- tors to the authorship of each of the chapters and Mr. Timothy Wilmot, Extension Maple Specialist, appendices in this manual were as follows: University of Vermont Dr. Brian Chabot, Professor, Cornell University Chapter 1. Introduction Dr. Timothy Perkins, Associate Professor and Di- Dr. Melvin R. Koelling, Professor Emeritus, rector, Proctor Maple Research Center, University Michigan State University of Vermont Chapter 2. History of Maple Syrup Chapter 7. Maple Syrup Production and Sugar Production Mr. Brian Stowe, Woodlands and Sugaring Oper- Dr. Melvin R. Koelling, Professor Emeritus, ations Manager, Proctor Maple Research Center, Michigan State University University of Vermont Chapter 3. The Maple Resource Mr. Timothy Wilmot, Extension Maple Specialist, Dr. Randall B. Heiligmann, Professor, The Ohio University of Vermont State University Mr. George L. Cook, Extension Maple and Farm Safety Specialist, University of Vermont 1 Willits, C. O. 1958. Maple Sirup Producers Manual. USDA Hdbk. No. 134. Dr. Timothy Perkins, Associate Professor and Di- Willits, C. O. 1963. Maple Sirup Producers Manual. USDA Hdbk. rector, Proctor Maple Research Center, University No. 134. of Vermont Willits, C. O. 1965. Maple Sirup Producers Manual. USDA Hdbk. No. 134. Dr. Randall B. Heiligmann, Professor, The Ohio Willits, C. O. and Claude H. Hills. 1976. Maple Sirup Producers State University Manual. USDA Hdbk. No. 134. Koelling, Melvin R and Randall B. Heiligmann. 1996. North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual. Ohio State University Extension Bulletin 856. Maple Syrup Producers Manual iii Chapter 8. Syrup Filtration, Grading, Appendices Packaging, and Storage Appendix 1. Maple Equipment Mr. Henry Marckres, Supervisor, Food Safety and Manufacturers and Sources Consumer Protection Division, Vermont Agency of Information of Agriculture, Food and Markets Dr. Gary Graham, Assistant Professor, The Ohio Dr. Randall B. Heiligmann, Professor, The Ohio State University State University Dr. Melvin R. Koelling, Professor Emeritus, Appendix 2. Maple Chemistry Michigan State University and Quality Dr. Timothy Perkins, Associate Professor and Chapter 9. Maple Sugar, Maple Cream, Director, Proctor Maple Research Center, Univer- Maple Candy, and Other Products sity of Vermont Mr. Tom McCrumm, Maple Producer and Execu- Dr. Mariafranca Morselli (deceased), Professor tive Director of the Massachusetts Maple Produc- Emerita of Botany, University of Vermont ers Association Dr. Abby van den Berg, Research Associate, Dr. Melvin R. Koelling, Professor Emeritus, Proctor Maple Research Center, University of Michigan State University Vermont Dr. Randall B. Heiligmann, Professor, The Ohio Mr. Timothy Wilmot, Extension Maple Specialist, State University University of Vermont Chapter 10. Marketing Maple Appendix 3. Determining Proportions Products when Adjusting Off-Density Syrup by Ms. Angela Wheeler, Maple Consultant, Ontario Blending with Syrup, Water, or Sap Mr. Dave Chapeskie, Agroforestry Specialist, Dr. Randall B. Heiligmann, Professor, The Ohio Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural State University Affairs Appendix 4. Identifying and Chapter 11. Economics of Maple Syrup Eliminating Undesirable Flavors Production in Maple Syrup Mr. Dave Chapeskie, Agroforestry Specialist, Mr. Henry Marckres, Supervisor, Food Safety and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Consumer Protection Division, Vermont Agency Affairs of Agriculture, Food and Markets Dr. Melvin R. Koelling, Professor Emeritus, Dr. Randall B. Heiligmann, Professor, The Ohio Michigan State University State University Chapter 12. Maple Production Appendix 5. Sugarbush Lease Agreement Facilities Mr. Larry Myott, Extension Maple Specialist Mr. Mark Isselhardt, Research Technician, (retired), University of Vermont Proctor Maple Research Center, University of Mr. Gregory Rainville, Attorney, St. Albans, Vermont Vermont Chapter 13. Safety in the Sugaring Mr. George L. Cook, Extension Maple and Farm Operation Safety Specialist, University of Vermont Mr. George L. Cook, Extension Maple and Farm Mr. George Buzzell, County Forester, Vermont Safety Specialist, University of Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation iv Maple Syrup Producers Manual In addition to the expanded and revised text, Identification, Wildlife Values, and Landscaping another feature that sets this edition of the Use, by Sally S. Weeks, Harmon P. Weeks, Jr., and manual apart from previous editions is the use George R. Parker. Published in 2005 by Purdue of color photographs. Most of the pictures in the University Press manual were provided by the editors and authors. Wray—Paul Wray, Professor Emeritus, Iowa State Many, however, were not, and we would like to University thank those who generously contributed their photographic skills to improving the quality and Finally, many colleagues and friends participated value of this manual. Their contributions are in an exhaustive review of this manual through- identified beside their pictures. A special thanks out its development. Individuals throughout the is extended to Mike Girard, Connecticut Maple industry with recognized expertise in particular Producer, and Mark Isselhardt, Research Techni- areas were frequently consulted. To those many cian at the Proctor Maple Research Center. Mike unnamed friends we express our sincere thanks. made available much of his extensive personal Each chapter was thoroughly reviewed several collection of photographs, and many of those are times for technical content by many of the con- found throughout the manual. Mark acted as the tributing authors and the editors. The final value unofficial photographer for the manual, willingly of a manual such as this, however, lies not only pursuing pictures needed to illustrate a particular in its technical accuracy, but in its readability, point. Other individuals contributing photo- clarity, and practical perspective. Sincere appre- graphs included: ciation is expressed to those individuals who read the entire manual, and made valuable suggestions Berry—Dr. Fred Berry, Professor Emeritus, The regarding not only its technical content, but also Ohio State University addressing those important characteristics. Boggs—Mr. Joe Boggs, Assistant Professor, The Bill Eva, Maple Syrup Producer, New Hampshire Ohio State University Bob and Pat Dubos, Maple Syrup Producers, Dickmann—Dr. Donald Dickmann, Professor Connecticut Emeritus, Michigan State University Don Giffin, Maple Syrup Producer, Ontario Douglass—Mary Douglass, Sugarbush Supplies, Mason, Michigan Dr. Eric Randall, Maple Syrup Producer and Dean, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Freeman—Jennifer Freeman, Chardon, OH Lynn Lang, Maple Syrup Producer, Vermont Groll—Mike Groll Photography, Buffalo, New