Maple Tree Tapping Project

Introduction

Maple syrup is a significant agricultural commodity in the United States (U.S.), valued at approximately $171.56 million with a total of 5.03 million gallons produced in the year 2022 (USDA NASS, 2022). Maple syrup production timing and yield vary significantly among years and regions depending heavily on climatic conditions. Expanding syrup production outside the northeastern U.S. to western states and exploring alternative tree species for syrup production could help meet the ever-increasing demand for syrup in the U.S. while sustaining this important industry. Bigtooth maple (Acer grandidentatum) and boxelder (Acer negundo) are native to the Intermountain West and Great Plains, and Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and other non-native maple species are common in the urban and suburban areas of the region. Birch (Betula spp.) and walnut (Juglans spp.) trees are also popular in the region. Although there is great potential to tap these tree species for syrup production, very little Extension or research has been conducted to help advance this incipient industry. The overall goal of the following projects is to spark the development of a robust syrup industry in the Intermountain West and Great Plains.

2021 Acer Access and Development Program: Developing a Maple Syrup Industry for the Interior West Through Extension and Research

  1. Educate hobby producers and non-producing landowners in Montana, New Mexico, and Utah about maple sap collection and syrup production through targeted Extension programs.
  2. Determine sap yields of bigtooth maple, boxelder, and Norway maples in the Intermountain West using traditional buckets/bags and natural gravity-based 3/16" tubing systems.

Project Team

Youping Sun

Kelly Kopp

Darren McAvoy

Steven Price

Paul Harris

Jesse Mathews

Richard Heerma

Rolston St. Hilaire

Mike Farrel

Patrick Kelly

Michelle Sagers

David Knudson

2022 Acer Access and Development Program: Developing a Maple Syrup Industry for the Interior West Through Extension and Research (Phase II: Expansion)

  1. Educate hobby producers and non-producing landowners in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming about maple sap collection and syrup production through targeted Extension programs and to develop an annual Maple Festival for the region.
  2. Determine sap yields using traditional buckets/bags and natural gravity-based 3/16" tubing systems for tapping bigtooth maple, boxelder maple, and other maples in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming.

Project Team

Kelly Kopp

Youping Sun

Darren McAvoy

Steven Price

Paul Harris

Abby Porter

Bracken Henderson

Brian Michael Sebade

Abby Perry

Mike Farrell

Patrick Kelly

Michelle Sagers

2022 Acer Access and Development Program: Exploring the Potential of Oklahoma Native Maple Species for Syrup Production.

  1. Determine the sap production potential of the five maple species in Oklahoma based on geographic location, method of sap collection, and tree species and size.
  2. Educate potential maple syrup producers and landowners who wish to use their woodlots for maple syrup production.

Project Team

Lu Zhang

Mike Schnelle

Lu Zhai

Bob Heineman

Yanwei Sun

Youping Sun

Mike Farrel

Partick Kelly

Michelle Sagers

2023 Acer Access and Development Program: Sustaining Maple Syrup Industry Under a Changing Climate Through Expanding Research and Extension in the United States

  1. Mapping maple tree distribution and potential production in the Northeast, Midwest, and/or Intermountain West regions through remote sensing technologies.
  2. Predicting and projecting temperatures and their impacts on maple syrup yield using high-resolution climate model outputs in the Northeast, Midwest, and/or Intermountain West regions.
  3. Engaging tribal communities in the maple syrup industry in South Dakota and sustaining the maple syrup industry in Utah through extension and education activities.

Project Team

Wei Zhang

Youping Sun

Man Li

Hanuki Zhang

John Ball

Mike Farrel

Amy May

Dustina Gill