It’s maple syrup weekend, March 20-21, in Chautauqua County and many of the other counties in NW New York.
At the beginning of the season, about two weeks ago, it looked like we would have one of the best seasons in quite some time. But the temperatures warmed up quickly and the snow started to melt.
In order to have the best sap for syrup you need warm days over 32 degree for the sap to rise but the night need to fall below freezing. If you have too many nights where the temperatures do not fall the sap turns yellow and the flavor of the syrup will change. And if the trend of warm days and night continue the season will be cut short.
I am afraid our syrup season is about done as our days have been unseasonably warm and in the 50’s and 60’s. And the nights have been warmer than 32 degrees.
This you tube will show you more about what trees are tapped and how the process is set up.
Making maple syrup was a project we did as children. Our property was full of sugar maple trees so you didn’t have to walk far to tap and collect sap to create maple syrup. Making syrup added fun, adventure, hard work and stories that we tell to family and friends.
