Does anybody know how much under growth and brush can affect sap yield. Here's my problem, my sugarbush is on a slope facing almost straight north. Some of the area is fairly clear but the rest is growing up with beech and other small saplings. I'm wondering if I should spend the time clearing these out or will they not make much difference. My thought is to clear them out, save some of the better maple seedlings but get rid of the rest. Could these be helping to keep the lines froze in the mornings? Do any of you have some tricks to getting better sap yield from North facing slopes? Any advice is apprieciated. Thanks