Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report, March 8, 2019

Previous two weeks summary

The extended deep-freezing conditions over the past two weeks has stopped sap harvest and maple syrup processing in early regions of southwestern Ontario and Niagara. Central mid-season areas and northern areas are still on track for a normal start to the sap harvest season.

The snow is deep this year in northern and Ottawa Valley sugar bushes and producers have been occupied with digging out buried mainlines.  Tap installation in many sugar bushes was progressing well until the deep cold made the risk of bark splitting too high.

Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report, February 22, 2019

Welcome to the Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report for the 2019 sap harvest and syrup processing season.   The report will be posted once every two weeks and will continue throughout the syrup processing season.  Each message will include a summary of sap flow activity across the province, progress on syrup processing and crop yield, and highlights from producers on syrup colour class and syrup flavours as the season advances.

Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report, June 4, 2018

The following pest management report is provided by Jennifer Llewellyn, Tree Nursery and Landscape Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.  Jennifer’s primary focus is on insect pest and disease management of conifer and deciduous trees and shrubs, to assist commercial tree nursery operators and provide guidance for managers of trees in established urban forest landscapes.   Forest Health Specialists with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry share a similar role for rural forested regions.

Lepidoptera are languishing…. time for biocontrol

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Jen Llewellyn

Seeing holes in leaves on deciduous trees?  This sugar maple was showing interveinal holes and closer inspection revealed fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria) larvae on the leaf undersides.  Larvae are pale green (although you’ll often see darker races too) and blend in with newly emerged foliage.  They are about 8-12 mm long right now but can they eat! Oye. 

The Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report, May 4, 2018

The 2018 maple syrup production season is completed now in Ontario and producers are busy cleaning sap tubing and processing equipment.  Ontario producers are reminded to please complete the Maple Production Survey that is organized and distributed by the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association.  Every completed survey will increase the accuracy of the final maple syrup industry production report for the 2018 season.

Thank you to the many maple syrup producers who contributed sap harvest and syrup quality updates throughout the season for the preparation of this report, the Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report.

Many producers find this time of year is best to make repairs while the end-of-season condition of vacuum tubing and other equipment is still fresh in their minds.  Modern sap tubing remains permanently installed in the sugar bush during its 10 to 15 year lifespan, where annual maintenance and cleaning will help ensure the tubing performs best during each future harvest.

Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report, April 19, 2018

The weather has been harsh on sugar bushes in Ontario over the past two weeks. From high wind to ice storm – buds, twigs, branches and anchoring roots have been tested for their strength and resilience.  Fortunately, this time of year the trees are rehydrating, which makes them a little more flexible compared to their drier condition during winter.  No serious damage is reported from wind or ice in most areas, with some clearing and repair of vacuum tubing required.

Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report for April 6, 2018

In earliest regions of southwestern Ontario, the maple syrup production season will draw to a close soon.  Unseasonably cold weather has helped to slow bud development and prolong sap flow over the previous two weeks, however the increasing day length and intensity of the sun has warmed branches and buds.  Buds on maple trees are swelling and elongating and bud break will soon occur.  Prince Edward County reported buddy off-flavours have begun on April 4th and sap harvest has ended there for the season.

Early areas, commercial producers who use modern vacuum collection for sap harvest are reporting very good yields of high quality syrup this year.  A few producers exceeded the provincial average of 1.1 litres syrup per tap.

Ontario Maple Syrup Production Report for March 23, 2018

Maple syrup production for the past two weeks

The 2018 maple syrup season has been progressing steadily forward in southern regions of the province over the past two weeks.  From southwestern Ontario over to Ottawa and the eastern counties, sap flow and maple syrup processing has been very active with only a few stalls due to cold weather.

In the north, very cold nighttime temperatures have persisted to deeply freeze the trees and then hover below or near zero Celsius during the day to keep trees frozen.  Excellent sap flow conditions are forecast for the north.  Northern regions typically start several weeks after the earliest areas and 2018 is still considered a normal season for northern producers.