Maple syrup producers have been able to take advantage of the unseasonably warm temperatures starting in January. But if the warmth continues, the sugaring season will end.
Jesse Wagner with In The Woods Sugarbush in Manitowoc says the season has been successful so far, and he’s pleased with the “bonus sap.”
As long as the 60-degree weather doesn’t stick around for more than a few days, the maple syrup season should continue. He says prolonged warm temperatures will halt sap collection since the sap needs to move up and down the tree with the freeze-and-thaw effect from day to night.
Prolonged warmth mixed with long sunny days can cause maple trees to bud – he’s not as concerned about that until the end of March.
In an ideal world, Wagner says we would have snow on the ground to prolong the sap collection season. White reflects the sun and keeps average temperatures down. It also insulates the ground so that the frost doesn’t come out too quickly. The frost helps keep the trees dormant.
Perfect sugaring weather is roughly 20 degrees at night and roughly 40 degrees during the day.
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