Impact of mild winter on maple sugaring

SHELBURNE, Mass. (WWLP) - This mild winter weather could impact the approaching maple sugaring season.  22NEWS went to Davenport Maple Farm in Shelburne and found out it's not just the winter that impacts the sap output.  

"The weather throughout the year affects sugaring season", says Davenport Maple Farm's Lisa Davenport. 

Davenport told 22NEWS, the weather during the sugaring season is much more important than the weather leading up to it."


"What happens now does have an affect, if it's not a good hard freeze, sugaring season might be shorter, it might start faster", says Davenport.

Davenport told 22NEWS, trees make sugar through photosynthesis in the summer, more sun, more sugar.  In the winter that's when you want it to freeze up, then in the spring, when the weather warms up, the sap starts to run.  

"When you're actually getting the run is when the weather has the more direct impact", says Davenport.

Elevation plays a role as well.  Davenport says their season usually starts in early March, while Deerfield could start 2 weeks earlier.

"If we don't get some some on the ground and have some prolonged cold, the sugaring season may jump start a little bit here and start earlier than average", says 22News storm team meteorologist Brian Lapis.

Davenport isn't too concerned at this point.

"It's so much where you are and what the weather is at the time", says Davenport.

The optimal weather during sugaring season is around 40 degrees and sunny during the day and 20-25 degrees at night.