Syrup season to start early

[Lee Borgersen]

 Syrup season likely to start early amid warmer temperatures

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The El Nino weather pattern responsible for producing relatively mild winters in the Upper Midwest is expected to trigger an earlier-than-usual maple syruping season in Minnesota this year, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

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People who tap trees for maple sap may soon begin setting taps this year, especially in the southern part of the state. Typically, late February to mid-April marks the start of Minnesota's maple syruping season.

"I hope the maple trees produce as much sap as in years past, but the season may occur a few weeks early if this winter's weather continues on its current course," says Mimi Barzen, a DNR forester who taps trees on leased land in Grand Rapids during her spare time. "Early-flowing sap generally has less sugar, so it will take more of it to make syrup this year."

Barzen and her family insert 125 to 150 taps every year, and process approximately 1,000 gallons of sap, making up to 25 gallons of actual syrup. A tradition they look forward to every year.

Sap flows best when the nights get below freezing and the days get warm-above 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Once collected, the sap is boiled down to produce syrup. Between 30 and 50 gallons of sap is needed to produce one gallon of maple syrup. The Minnesota Maple Syrup Producers Association estimates the state has over 125,000 taps producing between 35,000 to 45,000 gallons of syrup.

Sugar maples are the most favored tree for syruping due to the high sugar content in their sap. However, sugar content varies year to year and from tree to tree. Other maples and even a few non-maple trees are sometimes tapped such as red maple, silver maple, boxelder and birch. Norway maple, a non-native species, typically has a low sugar content and is not tapped.

"Usually we tap trees around mid-March, but every year is unique," Barzen said. "With the mild weather, we'll be watching closely for the sap to start running."

Visit the DNR's Landowner Spotlight page at www.mndnr.gov/woodlands/syrup.html for a story on how one family forest owner taps and makes syrup. Visit the state parks website at www.mndnr.gov/state_parks/maple_syruping.html to find maple syrup tapping events.

More detailed information on maple syruping available at www.extension.umn.edu/environment/trees-woodlands/homemade-maple-syrup.


DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             Feb. 16, 2016

Learn how to make pure maple syrup at Minnesota state parks


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Ever wonder how pure maple syrup gets from trees to the table? Come to one of the free programs at Minnesota state parks and find out how to make a batch of syrup in your own backyard, using basic tools from around the house.

Free programs begin the first weekend in March at:
.    Whitewater State Park (near Winona), 10:30 a.m.-noon or 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5.
.    Wild River State Park (Center City), 1-2 p.m. both Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6.

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Additional programs will take place at these and other Minnesota state parks through April 9. Some programs encourage dropping by any time to watch syrup-making in progress. Others offer more hands-on instruction with a taste of the finished product. You will learn how to identify and tap the right kind of tree as well as how to boil the sap you collect until it is sweet enough to serve.

Generally, sap runs best from about mid-March to mid-April, when temperatures are in the high 30s to mid-40s during the day and below freezing at night. It usually takes 30 to 50 gallons of sap from a sugar maple tree to get a gallon of pure maple syrup.

The maple syrup programs at Minnesota state parks are free, but vehicle permits are required to enter the parks ($5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a year-round permit). Due to space limitations, some programs also require advance registration.

For more information, including the complete 2016 maple syrup program schedule, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maple_syruping or call the DNR Information Center at 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

[corny13]

I'm about out of my Maple syrup...    Cass co has some great suger maple stands..

[Onin24Eagle]

We're not planning on doing any this year.  We usually do it every 3 or 4 years because we make so much it tends to last that long.  Most years we boil down approximately 3000 gallons of sap.  Here's some pics from the last time:

[glenn57]

DANG...........them are cool pictures!!!!!!!! thanks for posting them!!!!!!!!!