Maple tree - foliage in the sun
Maple tree - sap collection
Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup Season - What causes the sap to flow out of the trees?
Early in the spring, when the maple trees are still dormant, the air temperature rises above freezing during the day and drops below freezing at night. This temperature fluctuation is vital to the flow of sap.
Here's how it works: During the periods, when temperatures rise above freezing, positive pressure develops in the tree. This pressure causes the sap to flow out of the tree through a wound (tap hole). During cooler periods, when temperatures fall below freezing, negative pressure (suction) develops, drawing water into the tree through the roots. This replenishes the sap in the tree, allowing it to flow again during the next warm period. Although sap generally flows during the day when temperatures are warm, it has been known to flow at night if temperatures remain above freezing.
Well before colonists
began sugar maple tree growing in this country, Indigenous people tapped
the trees for their sweet syrup and used the sugar made from it for
bartering. Their method of sap harvesting and syrup making is still used today!
Last updated March 7, 2024
From Sap to Syrup
New York State is the 2nd largest producer nation-wide.
Maple Syrup Story Starts with a Maple Tree
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is one of the most abundant maple species found in New York State, growing anywhere outside of Long Island. It is an important industrial tree and source of a variety of agricultural product:
Sugar Maple Facts:
- The average life span is 300 years
- Valued for hardwood timber due to the wood's hardness and resistance to shock
- Origin in Asia and one of the 128 maple species known in the world
- Provides beautiful borders to miles of highway & summer shade to landowners
- Thousands of gallons of maple syrup with the sap sugar content of 3 - 4%
- State tree to four states - New York, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Vermont. Also the national tree of Canada.
