What if you woke up one day and there was no maple syrup left to put on your warm pancakes? Would you shrug your shoulders and invite Aunt Jemima over who consists of nothing more than corn syrup and artificial flavorings? Or would you protest and go with none and dream of those sweet syrupy days? Is this a world you could even imagine? What if the climate changes created undesirable conditions for sugar maples to grow? Along with syrup production, what would happen to our foliage shows in the fall?  It does seem a relief to have such a mild winter, especially after last years record snowfalls, but according to one local maple sugar producer this winters warmer temperatures are confusing the sugar maples and could be putting the local syrup industry at risk for this season.

The maple syrup industry in New England is a very important component to its character and economy. The United States production presently accounts for approximately 20% of the worldwide production (Canada stands with 80%), with New England/New York making up 75% of that amount. Vermont is the highest producer in New England, but our little Connecticut pushed through with the combined efforts of Massachusetts and produced 79,000 gallons in 2011!! This was a 108% increase over 2010 when warmer winter temperatures prevailed.  GO CT!!!

So, what does a maple tree need to produce great tasting sap? Typically, a sugar maple tree produces sap flows during late February to early March depending on geographic location and its "diurnal" temperature differences. What is diurnal? Good question..... It is the differences between day and night temperatures. The successful maple season relies on the proper combination of freezing nights and warm daytime temps greater than 40*F. With these changes the tree than can then convert its stored starches into transportable sugar or sucrose. This timing is critical to the whole industry and becomes a mystery now a days of when it will start or if it has already passed.

While even I find it easy to curse the snow and the cold weather, we must remember that there are many people and businesses that rely on the frigid weather to be successful. I am not sure if I could comprehend knowing that maple syrup may not exist one day. Would we even notice?  So, what will become of this season in CT? It's a good question and only time and Mother Nature can tell. Think Winter!