FEBRUARY 2008 MULTIPLE USE FOREST-MAPLE SYRUP

As promised, we will continue to share information that we find interesting with our customers, suppliers, and friends.

Now that the days are noticeably longer and the sun is higher in the sky an annual tradition for many of New England's family farms & forests will begin - the annual maple sugar harvest. Here in New Hampshire there are many "Sugar Houses" that produce the sweet syrup and sugar. Drive along a few back roads and you will see the plastic tubing now used to collect the sap. People who produce syrup for their home still use the sap buckets that were prevalent for years. Visit the New Hampshire Maple Syrup producers' web site for a current list of events this spring or the NH Made website to purchase maple products.

A combination of climate, soils, and trees is used for production of this special treat. The sugar maple (Acer Saccharum) is the best choice of maple tree species for making maple sugar and syrup and the only place in the world these grow are in the eastern part of North America. A Sugar Maple tree can grow to 80' in height with a 60' spread. The tree should be 10 inches in diameter and 40 years old to be tappable. Other maples can be tapped such as red maple. There is not as much sugar in the sap so it takes more to make a gallon of syrup; usually 30-40/l for sugar maple and maybe 45-60/1 for red maple. Vigorously growing trees produce the most sap highest in sugar content so a managed sugarbush will eventually be far more productive than an unmanaged one. Weather is another important factor in the production of maple syrup, night temperatures need to drop below freezing and day temperatures need to be in the 40's. Maple sugar season generally lasts 4-6 weeks and March is the prime month of production. Plus, Vermont and New York are the two largest producers of maple syrup in the United States. The province of Quebec is the largest producer in Canada.

The maple harvest is part of a multiple use forest plan along with recreation, wildlife and timber production. A healthy forest habitat will produce the best results and have a positive impact on the environment. Benefits of a multiple use forest include recreation, wildlife habitat, periodic income from timber, clean air and water, and in some cases a source of sap for maple sugaring. Our forester, Patrick Kenney, would be happy to meet with you and discuss a plan for managing your forest.

Enjoy our maple harvest season this year.

Your friends in the forest,

Jeff, Patrick and the crew.