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Thread: maple research

  1. #1
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    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
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    Default maple research

    Looking for input....

    Keeping in mind that depending upon the question, the funding, the time we have available, and interest...

    What types of questions do you have that you think we might be able to address via doing a research project?

    No promises, and it can take years before we get through the process (in many cases we like to have 2-3 seasons of results before we talk about it), but just interested in hearing some ideas. The bigger the question, the harder and longer it can take...and not all questions are readily answerable. NO promises that we'll actually do these, but something might work out. Note that if you ask something that has already been done I may just point you to the resource with the answer.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  2. #2
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    Princeton, MA
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    I would be interested in data regarding the operation of vacuum on sap production, for the case where the pump is running continuously, versus pump turned off when sap stops running (lines frozen). My specific question is related to small diaphragm pumps such as Shurflo or the Bosworth Guzzler, but this could also apply to larger pumps. With the larger vacuum systems, folks typically leave the vacuum running 24/7 during the season, except when there is an extended freeze. Diaphragm vacuum pumps are typically turned off when sap is not running (at night), to conserve battery power and/or to avoid damage to the diaphragm during extended running dry or running with potential ice buildup internally. Manufacturers often recommend that the pumps should be turned off and drained in freezing temps. I would be curious to know if there is a sap yield penalty if the pumps are turned off at night, if so how much. It is often not possible to keep the pump warm at night. Perhaps this has been studied before, if so a link would be appreciated. Thanks.

    Dave
    Mountain Maple farm
    2022 NAMSC award winning dark amber syrup
    2023: 320 taps, 70% red maples. Mountain Maple S4 diaphragm pump controller with automated sap transfer and text messaging
    Website:
    https://www.mountainmaplefarm.com
    https://www.facebook.com/MountainMapleFarm/

  3. #3
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    Funny that Dr. Abby and I were just talking about this earlier today.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  4. #4
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    Mar 2016
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    chester, ma
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    This is probably a very basic question, because I'm a total novice. What are the factors that you can use to guess relative sugar content of a tree. I have way more trees on my property than I have time or boiling capacity for. So I want to pick the best ones. The most obvious factor is:

    - Crown size.

    But what else? Is there any relation to things like:

    - On a steep hill, the direction the hill is facing? Like, will a north-facing tree have lower sugar than a south-facing tree?
    - Size of the trunk?
    - Color of the leaves? Will a tree that always has brown leaves perform better or worse than one with bright orange leaves?
    - How late the tree holds onto its leaves? Some trees seem to drop their leaves at the first sign of frost, while others still have bright green leaves.
    - Anything else?

    Thanks!

    Gabe
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

  5. #5
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    What are the factors that you can use to guess relative sugar content of a tree?

    It is difficult to predict the SSC of a tree. Big trees with wide crowns growing on good soils are best, but there isn't a good way to distinguish one tree from another growing side-by-side. Best approach is to test them with a refractometer (using appropriate technique). Just know that SSC can vary a lot over a season, so best to measure groups of trees all on the same day (and within a few hrs of each other) if possible.


    - Crown size.

    Slight relationship, but difficult to measure, so diameter (dbh) is used more frequently. In general though, canopy trees will tend to have a slightly larger SSC than understory trees.

    - On a steep hill, the direction the hill is facing? Like, will a north-facing tree have lower sugar than a south-facing tree?

    No relationship has been demonstrated.

    - Size of the trunk?

    Only in terms of whether it is a canopy tree or not. Larger trees tend to be canopy (dominant or codominant) trees, so SSC tends to be higher.

    - Color of the leaves? Will a tree that always has brown leaves perform better or worse than one with bright orange leaves?

    There has been some research showing that trees that tend to be more "red" tend to have somewhat higher SSC.

    - How late the tree holds onto its leaves? Some trees seem to drop their leaves at the first sign of frost, while others still have bright green leaves.

    Green leaves lower, yellow moderate, red higher, but the relationship is fairly low.

    - Anything else?

    Nutrition. Good nutrition, particularly calcium (maples really like calcium) tends to produce more chlorophyll, more photosynthesis, more growth, higher SSC and more sap. But keep in mind that too much is not good either.

    We do have some data and have been doing some analysis for a few years on what environmental or biological variables tend to be associated with higher SSC. Lots more work to do on this, but in general, there is a genetic maximum potential SSC trees can attain (which is quite variable from tree to tree). Once you stray outside the "norm" for weather or stress factors (drought, hot weather, etc), then you tend to drive SSC downward from the genetic potential.

    An "oldie but goodie" on SSC can be found here http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmaple/sapsugar...tvariation.pdf Work by Dr. Fred Taylor (deceased), one of the founders of the UVM Proctor Maple Res Ctr.
    Last edited by DrTimPerkins; 06-03-2020 at 02:09 PM.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  6. #6
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    Eagle lake Maine
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    I was giving a sugaring class in adult ed and the guy monitoring the classes was from the cooperative extension I believe. He asked a good question that would be a great study. He mentioned how they use fertilizer spikes for various trees they plant and the amazing difference it makes in tree health, crown etc. He asked if I considered doing that for my maple trees. It seems like you could fertilize trees close by to others and tell very easily if there's a difference in crown size, sugar content, etc.

  7. #7
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    Apr 2008
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    NW Wisconsin
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    Tap hole healing and how it relates to sugar and sap production the following year.
    If a 5/16 tap hole heals by Sept does that indicate tree health that predicts higher sugar the following season.
    Or
    If you go to tap a tree and the tap hole hasn't closed 50% from the following year, should I skip the tree and remove the stress for a year.

    Similarly, does crown die off indicate significant stress and call for 'resting' the tree for a season---or make firewood.
    Jeff Emerson
    www.emersonsmaplehill.com
    3x12 Leader with over air, custom piggyback, 600gph CDL RO
    2500 on 25" vacuum
    350 4 wheeler, 500 snowmobile, and 1950's Ford 600 tractor, Husqvarna! (261, 372xpBigBore, 562xp), Stihl MS193 for in tree work

  8. #8
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    Interesting
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  9. #9
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    NE PA (Pocono's)
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    Would like to see a study on replacing taps vs time til next tapping. In other words can I replace taps now and have the same result in tap hole sanitation or would it be data significant to change out say in Nov/Dec. obviously a change out now has duration and warmer temps working against you when considering bio growth

    Mike
    CDL 2x8
    Around 4000 taps
    Polaris ATVs, Ski Doo snowmobiles to get around
    Atlas Copco pumps
    Lapierre two post RO




    http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/j...Sugar%20shack/

  10. #10
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    Mar 2016
    Location
    chester, ma
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    Thanks Dr Tim, this is really great info!

    Cheers,

    Gabe
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

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