It’s Maple Syrup Season……But which one in a Sugar Maple?

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This time of year, people may be thinking about tapping maple trees for sap. But how can you tell the difference between Sugar, Norway, Red and Silver Maple.

 

maple grove

 

 

 

Actually, all maples will produce sap that can be boiled to make syrup. But sugar maples have the highest sugar content so are preferred. Just remember, it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. And if you boil it in your kitchen, you may take some paint off your walls or ceiling.

 

Sugar maple, Acer saccharum, has a smooth to texture bark

 

sugar1

 

 

 

rounded head,

 

sugar head

 

 

 

and what I like to refer to as checkerboard buds.

 

sugar buds

 

 

 

 

Norway maple, Acer platanoides, has fissured bark,

 

norway bark

 

 

 

rounded head,

 

norway head

 

 

 

and larger bulbous buds.

 

norway buds

 

 

 

 

Red maple, Acer rubrum, has a rough bark that may appear to exfoliate,

 

red bark

 

 

 

upright, rounded growth habit

 

red habit

 

 

 

and clusters of red buds.

 

red buds

 

 

 

 

Silver maple, Acer saccharinum, has rough bark,

 

silver bark

 

 

 

 

a rounded head that may have some cascading branched,

 

silver head

 

 

 

 

and clusters of light red to green buds.

 

silver buds

 

 

 

 

Winter tree identification can be challenging so my recommendation is to observe the trees year-round and observe flowers, leaves, fall color and buds. And if you plan to tap in February, put a ribbon around the trees you are certain are Sugar Maples.

Attached if a fun youth centered video to help tell the difference:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ouyJlhoa4

 

 

Happy tapping!