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Managing Maple Trees for SAP Production

Table of Contents

1. Sugarbush Planning
2. Sugarbush Maintenance
3. Woodlot Management
4. Forest Health
5. Sugar Maple Plantations
6. Herbicides and Pest Control
7. Keep Current by Visiting the Following Association Links Frequently

From small woodlots to large plantations, proper care of your maple trees is key to a successful maple syrup operation. Sugarbush silviculture, including identifying and creating an inventory of individual trees, pruning and/or clearing areas for planting or natural regeneration, is essential for the health of the entire woodlot. As a maple syrup producer you can then decide what enhancements, such as ensuring and improving access, dividing the sugarbush into manageable units and locating and building processing facilities are necessary. The following links will help guide you in managing your maple trees for sap production.

Sugarbush Planning

• Agricultural Land Use Planning
• Forest Management Links
  

Sugarbush Maintenance

• Guide to Improving Sugar Bush Health and Productivity
• Tapping and Sap Collection in Ice Damaged Sugar Bushes
• Dry Weather and its Effect on Maple
  

Woodlot Management

• Alleycropping in Orchard
• Municipal Tree Cutting Bylaws - independent for each municipality
• Sugar Bush Management for Maple Syrup Producers
• Landowner Resource Centre Publications - Over 25 factsheets to choose from
• Woodlands and Wildlife

Forest Health

• Great Lakes Forestry Centre - Forest Health
• Insects and Diseases that Affect Maple Trees
• Unsightly Tar Spots on Maple Trees Again This Year
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Health

Sugar Maple Plantations

• Planting and Tending Recommendations for Sugar Maple
• Best Management Practices Agroforestry Series Volume 1
• Best Management Practices Agroforestry Series Volume 2
• The Future for Hardwood Plantations Looks Promising
• Alleycropping in Orchards and Forest Plantations
  

Herbicides and Pest Control

• Publication 383, Nursery and Landscape Plant Production and IPM
• Publication 75 - Guide to Weed Control
• Mowing versus Mechanical or Chemical Weed Control in Sugar Maple Afforestation
• Susceptibility of Woody Plants to Various Herbicides and Mixtures as Foliage Sprays

Keep Current By Visiting the Following Association Links Frequently

• Agriphone
• Ontario Woodlot Association
• Ontario Woodlot
• Ontario Stewardship
• Conservation Ontario
• Canadian Forest Service