Freezing Weather Delays Syrup Production
ITHACA, N.Y. Freezing
weather conditions have delayed
most of Western New York
maple syrup production by at
least 10 days.
Preliminary reports indicate
that many maple syrup produc
ers were delayed in tapping their
trees due to freezing weather con
ditions during late February and
early March.
Reports by producers indicate
that most maple trees will be
tapped for maple syrup produc
tion by March 15 for western
New York and that production
will be that of an average year.
The prolonged freezing tem
peratures delayed our normal
window for tapping trees by at
least 10 days. In most areas,
maple trees were still frozen solid
m most places as of March 10.
Tapping trees during freezing
weather conditions promotes
maple trees to crack and may
cause permanent damage to the
tree.
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Regardless of current weather
conditions, we do not expect the
season to run longer due to the
cold weather. On average the sea
son in western New York ends on
or about March 30th.
As we approach and enter into
spring (March 21), the sun rises
higher in the sky which contrib
utes to additional radiant heat as
a result of extended and more di
rect sunshine.
More direct sunshine contrib
utes not only to warmer ambient
air temperatures but significantly
contributes to an increase in sur
face temperatures of the tree.
Consequently, an increase in
radiant heat promotes a physio
logical change in the tree that
triggers bud formation resulting
in the formation of buddy sap
which signifies the end of the tap
ping season. Buddy sap has a
very unpleasant odor and many
producers that specialize in only
high quality syrup will stop col
lecting sap. Sap at the beginning
of the season is water white, clear
and transparent. It has a sweet
taste and practically no odor.
During the week of March 10,
we expect that start of a winter
thaw (temperatures above 32 F)
for a three to four day period that
will trigger the first run of sap for
many sugar bush operations.
Above average snowfall has
contributed to saturation of most
soils and for most areas the soil
has not frozen to any significant
depth. Consequently, we expect
an initial heavy sap flow for most
area producers.
This year’s heavy snows will
provide for logistical problems
for many sugar bush operations.
The snow pack (in some areas as
much as 3 feet or more) will pro
vide for difficult conditions for
many producers so that they can
get at their trees to tap as well as
move sap to their sugarhouse to
make syrup.
Ideal conditions for tapping
are freezing temperatures at
night and just above freezing
temperatures during the day
(32-45). This creates a differ
ential in the pressure of the
tree to encourage sap flow.
Typically, the tree will
generate 12 psi to encourage
sap flow. Currently we have
excellent subsoil moisture
which will help ensure an
adequate supply of soil mois
ture for sap production as
well as a differential in pres
sure as caused by the tem
perature swings.
To date, a few
maple syrup producers
that have tapped are
reporting minimal sap
flow, however, the
sugar content of this
sap has been excellent
(2.8 percent). Higher
sugar contents are
likely due to the past
summer's drought.
During a drought,
abundant sunshine en
courages increased
photosynthesis pro
duction that may lead
to increased sugar pro
duction
In addition, the
colder weather may
also be promoting less
movement of water
ith? the tree -
within ic tree, conse
quently contributing to
a higher concentration
of sugar within the sap
flow. As a result, some
producers are hoping
that the first run of
sap will produce a
very highly desirable
light and delicate
flavored syrup. Maple
syrup grades are light.
medium, dark amber, grade B, pating sugarhouses will be open
and commercial. to the public statewide from 10
SPECIAL EVENT: The New a.m.-4 p.m. For a list of partici-
York State Maple Weekend, pating sugarhouses go to
March 22-23, 2003. All partici- www.mapleweekend.com.
Open House: Career Choices
UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre sions at 10:15 a.m.
Co.) Penn State’s College of To register for the open house
Agricultural Sciences will host or for more information, visit the
prospective students at its 10th World Wide Web at http://
annual Open House Saturday, www.cas.psu.edu or contact the
March 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Office for Undergraduate Educa
here at the Hetzel Union Build- tion at (814) 865-7521.
ing.
“Teenagers have lots of ques
tions when it comes to careers
and employment,” said Marianne
Fivek, assistant to the dean for
student recruitment and activi
ties. “Our open house highlights
opportunities in the agricultural
sciences in an informal, relaxed
setting where students can get
personal attention.
“About 60 faculty, staff, and
students from the college will be
there to answer questions about
the agricultural sciences and
about university life.” said Fivek.
Attendees can learn about ca
reers in agricultural and related
fields and the college’s 18 under
graduate majors, including ani
mal science, food science, land
scape design, agribusiness
management, agricultural and bi
ological engineering and environ
mental resource management.
The event will begin with an in
formational fair at 8 a.m., fol
lowed by a general session at 9
a.m. and academic advising ses-
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Closed March 21
SHIPPENVILLE (Clarion
Co.) Penn State Cooperative
Extension in Clarion County will
be closed Friday, March 21 for
building repairs.
The office will reopen at 8:30
a.m. Monday, March 24.
For more information, contact
Penn State Cooperative Exten
sion in Clarion County, PO Box
200, 405 Main Street, Shippen
ville, PA 16254, (814) 782-0033,
fax (814) 782-0034, e-mail Clario
nExt@psu.edu.
Joe Speicher
175 North Imler Valley Rd
Imler, PA 16655
Clarion Office