The Maple Sugar Bush

The temperate deciduous forest of eastern North America is home to a rich array of life, including dozens of species of mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Over 100 species of trees grow here, three quarters of which are deciduous. These eastern forests are considered one of the most important biomes on our planet. 

Within this diverse range lies the northern hardwood forest, a swath of beautiful woods stretching from the midwestern United States through Ontario, Québec, New England and into the Maritimes. The northern hardwood forest is dominated by yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Two conifers – eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and white pine (Pinus strobus) – also grow abundantly among the broad-leaved species. 

Here, the world's maple syrup is produced – and a great majority of it right here in Québec. The syrup is made in hardwood forests that are managed to varying degrees with the intention of promoting the dominance of sugar maples. This involves cutting down sick trees and selectively thinning to encourage growth, a process that would occur naturally over dozens if not hundreds of years. Skillful management speeds up time in the forest by allowing it to mature at a faster rate, but it can still take generations to bring an individual tree into production. 

Sustainable practices are critical to supporting healthy forests and the long-term production of maple syrup. They include maintaining a healthy degree of biodiversity; avoiding the use of heavy, soil-compacting equipment; and cutting only when trees are dormant and the ground is frozen to avoid damaging the forest floor, the bark of neighbouring trees, or nesting birds and other wildlife. 

Within the sugar bush, environmental conditions, soil types and exposure to sunlight all affect the trees' production of sap. Trees growing with adequate moisture and nutrients will produce more sap than trees growing in infertile soil or dry conditions, as will trees that are exposed to more sun and therefore capable of increased photosynthesis. Those that have suffered defoliation from insects or loss of branches will naturally produce less sap that healthy trees.¹ 

¹Kozlowski T, Pallardy S (editors). Physiology of Woody Plants. San Diego: Academic Press; 1997.