The University of Virginia's College at Wise (Far Southwest Virginia near Tennessee and Kentucky) is doing research on sugaring in the Southern/Central Appalachians. We are comparing sugar content, sap volume, and phytochemistry (such as flavor compounds, antioxidants, and other compounds beneficial for human health) between Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Silver Maple, and Box Elders. Our broader purpose is to analyze strategies to help promote economic diversification and promote this cultural resource in the region. We need data from a broad geographic span for our specimens in the region (including VA, KY, TN, NC, and WV), and cannot possibly do it all ourselves. So we are asking for help from you!

We would appreciate data collections from any of these maple species you could tap, even if it is just a few. It would be best if you had your own refractometer to get sugar content of individual trees as the sap is dripping out of the spile. You would also need a way to weigh the sap (such as a hanging scale) or calculate accurate volume of the sap produced from each specimen. If you don't have this equipment, we may be able to help you get it. For the phytochemical analysis, we could mail you small tubes to collect 40mL of sap a couple times during the season that you would store in the freezer for later pick up by us. We would genuinely appreciate your collaboration on this project at whatever level you are able, and hope this research would benefit you as well, since we would be providing you with a phytochemical analysis of the sap from your trees, and you would be contributing to a broader project to help the region. Please respond here, or to Ryan Huish at rdh5b@uvawise.edu for more details.

Wishing you all the best for the this tapping season,

Ryan