Early spring is a good time to locate new sugar bush

[bowhunter]

I know all the pros out there know this, but for all of us newbies this is an excellent time to locate a new sugar bush. Sugar maples are one of the first trees to leaf in the spring while most of the other hardwood varieties are still in the bud stage. Right as the leaves are starting to emerge the canopy takes on a very distinct pale mint green hue which can be seen from far away. I was driving along the I-70 corridor between St Louis and Columbus, Ohio today and it was very easy to pick out a nice wood lot from a mile away. You could see the maple canopy very clearly. I saw a few wood lots that made me drool.

[DuncanFTGC/SS]

This past spring, while turkey hunting, I found that I could see the red buds on the red maples from quit a ways away. I have some sugar maples that were not in bud, but did find a few sugars with golden buds, also easy to see from a distance. What I did not know was the bulk of the sugar maples budded out after I was done looking! I spent the rest of the summer finding and marking the sugar maples! :)

[jimsudz]

I personally like the fall. I look for nice yellow to orange pillow/fluffy canopy.from a distance you'll know what I'm talking about. Oaks come in later, beech later, soft maple tend to be more red canopy.you have to look at different times in the fall, early the ash and cherry will have color, but in about two weeks later their leaves will be brown and falling then look for sugars. Aspen will also be yellow but after sugars. Hope this helps.

[DuncanFTGC/SS]

jimsudz, I did notice that as well, and took a few pictures of some really nice sugar maples in full color! Very beautiful to see! The sad thing was as I have gotten better at identifying maples, the number of maples I have been walking past the two years that I have made syrup! LOL Live and learn, I have about 90% of my property measured and marked at this time, so am set for a year or two.