Approximately 73,000 gallons of maple syrup were produced here in 1999, 18,000 gallons above the 1998 harvest, and ranking Michigan sixth in the country for production of this sweet, rich sap. Vermont is America’s leading producer.

Montcalm County has a lot of hard maple woods, some of which is tapped for sugar production. The collection of sap begins in early spring each year, when the days begin to warm but temperatures still dip below freezing at night. The trees must be at least 10 inches in diameter to be tapped, and as the tree grows, more taps are added.

It takes approximately 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup. The excess water is boiled off in order to concentrate the sugars.

Recipes:

Michigan Maple Syrup Association
2611 Okemos Road
Mason, Michigan 48854
(517) 349-5185