Maple: A Sap to Syrup Guide A Manual for Career and Technical Centers of Vermont A Project Sponsored by: Shelburne Farms UVM Extension Lynn Wolfe Ecological Planning Program Rubenstein School of the Environment and Natural Resources University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont [email protected] Acknowledgements This project was made possible with the support and contributions of many people. Through generous funding provided by Shelburne Farms and UVM Extension, the idea of completing a masters project on the topic of maple syrup production education became possible. Thank you to Mark Isselhardt, UVM Extension Maple Specialist, who provided invaluable guidance, amazing photographs, and deepened my knowledge and appreciation of the maple syrup industry. In addition, thank you to Shelburne Farms’ staff members Dana Hudson who served as my project sponsor advisor, Megan Camp who helped transform the concept of a FNEP project into reality, Dana Bishop who taught me how to be a sugarmaker, and Josh Carter whose flexibility allowed me to pivot my work focus from vegetables to maple syrup. From the University of Vermont, my advisor, Walter Poleman, whose deep words of wisdom, calming presence, and guidance helped me overcome unforeseen obstacles. My graduate studies committee members, Anthony D’Amato and Simon Jorgenson helped narrow my objectives and offered support as I carried out this project. I am also grateful for the incredible instructors and students involved in the FNEP program. Vermont Career and Technical Center educators Mark Wilde, Aaron Townshend, Josh Goss, Max Van Houten, Mark Raishart, Chris Masson, Jerry Leonard, Ben Nottermann, Peter Falby, Andrew Shatzer, and more were interviewed, provided feedback, and/or participated in the Maple Career Development Event (CDE). A wonderful team of volunteers made the Maple CDE run smoothly. Thank you to Liz Kenton, David Lalanne, Cyrus Grennon, George Cook, and Marshall Webb for lending your expertise to make the event successful. The event would not have been possible without the generosity of maple industry representatives that donated tools, materials, prizes, and their time to assist with the development and execution of the event. Donors include: CDL USA, H2O Innovations, Lapierre USA, and Leader Evaporator, Mike Rechlin, VT Maple Sugar Makers’ Association, and Hillsboro Sugarworks. My wife, Mary Claire Walsh, who’s never-ending support, proofreading skills, Latin flashcard rhymes, solo weekends with two kids under the age of three, and positive attitude allowed me to complete the Ecological Planning Program and kept me somewhat sane. Her support of my academic and professional development is a gift whose value is beyond measure. Finally, my children, Anya and Alden Wolfe, who were both born during my graduate school career. While Alden is too young, Anya has appreciated a fierce love for all things maple and has spent many happy hours in the sugarhouse. i Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Maple identification ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Characteristics of maple stands .................................................................................................................... 5 Species associations .................................................................................................................................. 5 Site factors ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Tree physiology ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Photosynthesis .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Understanding maple trees ...................................................................................................................... 7 Sap flow mechanism ................................................................................................................................. 8 Factors influencing sap flow ................................................................................................................... 10 Sugarbush management techniques .......................................................................................................... 10 Stand structure ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Management plan ................................................................................................................................... 11 Stocking conditions ................................................................................................................................. 12 Tree selection .......................................................................................................................................... 13 Crop tree release..................................................................................................................................... 14 Biodiversity ............................................................................................................................................. 16 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................... 16 Bird-friendly sugarbush management .................................................................................................... 17 Problems that affect sugarbush health and regeneration .......................................................................... 17 Insects and animals ................................................................................................................................. 18 Diseases................................................................................................................................................... 22 Plants ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 Tapping........................................................................................................................................................ 25 When to tap ............................................................................................................................................ 25 Tapable trees .......................................................................................................................................... 25 Tapping Guidelines.................................................................................................................................. 26 Tapping equipment ................................................................................................................................. 28 Where to tap ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Drilling the hole ....................................................................................................................................... 31 Seating the spout .................................................................................................................................... 31 .................................................................................................................................................................... 31 ii .................................................................................................................................................................... 31 Sap collection .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Gravity sap collection .............................................................................................................................. 32 Tubing ......................................................................................................................................................... 33 Design of tubing systems ........................................................................................................................ 35 Mainline .................................................................................................................................................. 35 Lateral lines ............................................................................................................................................. 38 ................................................................................................................................................................ 39 Connecting lateral line to mainline ......................................................................................................... 39 Installing droplines .................................................................................................................................. 40 3/16 tubing.............................................................................................................................................