Season Taps into Trees' Sweetness

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By CBS 3 Springfield News

Story Published: Mar 5, 2010 at 7:34 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 5, 2010 at 8:16 PM EDT

As the first tree is officially tapped at Williams Sugarhouse in Deerfield, maple sugaring season is officially in full swing.
While maple syrup is not a major crop in the state there are still 300 producers in the commonwealth.

Massachusetts Agriculture Commissioner Scott Soares says, "Many of the maple syrup operations are a part of another farming activity so. As an example, many of our dairy operations also do maple syrup production and as a result of all that activity they really contribute to the preservation of working landscapes here across the commonwealth."

In fact over 8,000 acres of land is used solely for syrup production in the state.

Massachusetts Maple Producers President Edward Parker says, "It preserves a lot of forrest land and open space and it's a great tourist attraction."

But the only downside, you never know just how good the season will be.
Last years ice storm destroyed many maple trees.
Many of those hoping for a better year this time around have been disappointed in the weather.
Making maple syrup requires freezing nights and somewhat warm days.
A combination we've been lacking so far.

Williams Farm Owner Chip Williams says, "It's been a little slow. Disappointing so far for the beginning of the season."

Parker says, "The trees shut off and turn on just within 2 or 3 degrees at night."

With maple sugaring season only lasting around 4 weeks producers are hoping to draw people in by showing folks the process.
They say normally, it makes up for the high cost of pure Massachusetts syrup.

Parker says, "It's a very labor consuming business which of course makes syrup rather expensive. But once people come to the sugar house and see what we go through they figure it's a deal."

In honor of the first tree tap of the season Governor Deval Patrick declared march maple month.

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