Maple sap flowing early this year as syrup being made at Malabar Farm

Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal
·2 min read
Kiristin Brubach and Jon Britton check the progress of the maple syrup as they boil it to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Kiristin Brubach and Jon Britton check the progress of the maple syrup as they boil it to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

The uncharacteristic weather this winter has allowed Ohio maple trees to produce sap earlier than normal.

Sap started flowing the first week of February at Malabar Farm State Park, according to Matt Rogers, the park's director.

Buckets are seen hanging from the taps collecting the sap from the maple trees to make maple syrup at Malabar Farm Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Buckets are seen hanging from the taps collecting the sap from the maple trees to make maple syrup at Malabar Farm Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

"It's been so warm," Rogers said. "We've had so many of these warm days."

The park's sugar shack has been boiling the sap into maple syrup for several days. The public is invited to the park for the park's Maple Syrup Festival, noon to 4 p.m. March 4, 5, 11 and 12, to watch the process.

Smoke is seen rising from the Sugar Shack as the sap is boiled to make maple syrup at Malabar Farm Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Smoke is seen rising from the Sugar Shack as the sap is boiled to make maple syrup at Malabar Farm Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

Storm destroyed hundreds of maple taps

The park's sap supply took a hit last June when a storm ripped through the forest.

Jon Britton and Kiristin Brubach check the maple syrup as they boil it to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Jon Britton and Kiristin Brubach check the maple syrup as they boil it to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

"The tornado came right through there and took a lot of trees out and our lines were just laying everywhere," Rogers said.

The park lost more than half of its 1,100 taps to the devastation. This year, the maple supply will come from 500 taps at the park. They plan to expand again next season.

Kiristin Brubach and Jon Britton boil the sap from the maple trees to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Kiristin Brubach and Jon Britton boil the sap from the maple trees to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

"I'm hoping that next year maybe we can get back up around 800," Rogers said.

Sap starts flowing when winter breaks

The syrup season starts every year when the park's maple trees begin pumping sap to carry the nutrients that allow the plant to begin growing leaves.

Jon Britton and Kiristin Brubach boil the sap from the maple trees to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Jon Britton and Kiristin Brubach boil the sap from the maple trees to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

That sap won't flow until the tree senses that winter is starting to break. It generally happens after several days of 40 degrees with nights in the 20s. That weather came early this year.

"We were tapped in pretty much the first of February," Rogers said. "I mean, basically any day it's above freezing, it'll run."

The sap runs about six weeks, but early budding will render the sap unusable because it starts tasting bitter.

Visitors can purchase syrup and candies

Park staff think the sap flow will still be good during the upcoming syrup festival.

"The sugar shack's going to be open," Rogers said. "We'll be boiling."

Kiristin Brubach and Jon Britton check the progress of the maple syrup as they boil it to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Kiristin Brubach and Jon Britton check the progress of the maple syrup as they boil it to extract the maple syrup in the Malabar Farm Sugar Shack Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

The gift shop in the Pugh Cabin will be open. Guests can purchase candies, syrup and other items.

"We've got a food vendor coming that's selling food and then we've got another truck that sells coffee," Rogers said.

Visitors are asked to dress for the weather as they could be standing in line for several minutes before entering the shack.

Buckets are seen hanging from the taps collecting the sap from the maple trees to make maple syrup at Malabar Farm Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE
Buckets are seen hanging from the taps collecting the sap from the maple trees to make maple syrup at Malabar Farm Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

"Hopefully we have some nice weather," Rogers said. "Last year, the first weekend was gorgeous."

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

Twitter: @zachtuggle

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Maple sap flowing early this year as syrup being made at Malabar Farm