Maple Facts

Vermont
has an ideal climate for growing sugar maple trees; an ideal climate for
good sap flow; and a syrup making know-how which has been handed down
from generation to generation. An air of romance associated with this
long established industry calls back many people each year to hear the
roar of the raging fire, to inhale the sweet aroma of the boiling syrup,
and to partake of the unmatched flavor of Vermont maple syrup.

Approximately forty years are required to grow a maple tree large enough
to tap. A tree ten inches in diameter is considered minimum tappable size
for one tap. Some trees are large enough for more than one tap. It takes
approximately 40 gallons to produce one gallon of syrup. The normal maple
season lasts 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes starting as early as February in
southern Vermont and lasting into late April in northern Vermont.

Vermont has a strictly enforced
maple grading
law controlling standards of density, flavor and color. The grade of maple
syrup must be plainly and correctly marked on each container, along with
the name and address of the producer.

Vermont's law requires syrup to be free from any preservatives or other
additives. Pure Vermont maple syrup is an excellent source of organic
sugar.

Vermont maple syrup is made into pure maple sugar, maple cream and maple
candies. These pure maple products are made by evaporating more water
from pure maple syrup and controlling the crystallization process during
cooling.

The tourist industry has had a very positive impact on maple marketing,
and maple products are presently being
shipped to countries all over the world.

Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States, producing
about 37 percent of the total U.S. crop in 2000. Every county in Vermont
produces some maple syrup. It is estimated that we have around 2,000 maple
producers in the state. In 2000, those producers made an estimated 460,000
gallons of maple syrup, with a value of approximately $13,340,000.

Production varies from year to year, with the weather playing an important
role.

The following maple production figures for major maple producing states
in New England and New York for the past few years show how Vermont's
production compares to other states in the region.