|
 |
 |
September 2016 Update
|
|
|
|
During the summer months we have visitors from many non-maple
producing states. Many of those visitors are surprised that we are not
making maple syrup. Virtually everyone is amazed at the short and
variable maple production season. Since the sap is not flowing and the
evaporator is not boiling, we have more time to explain to visitors what
takes place during maple syrup production.
This has been a summer of drought. Our maples and other forest trees are
showing the effect of very little rain since spring. You can look at the
foliage and see, by the leaf color, trees with an underground water source
and those without. Those trees with a vein of underground water nearby
still have dark green leaves. Others have lighter leaves and leaves that are
beginning to change color early. We doubt there will be the usual
brilliant colors in our woods this fall and predict an early leaf drop.
The drought we are experiencing, the floods and storms in other parts of
our country, and the changes we have experienced during the maple
production season all indicate a changing climate. Gone are the
predictable and traditional seasons of freezing nights and warm days in
March. Instead we are experiencing unfavorable weather patterns
with days of summer-like temperatures. It was 74° outside of our
sugarhouse on March 15th this year. We may not be able to count on that
normal freeze-thaw cycle for great sap flows in the future.
The warmer climate has resulted in the production of darker maple syrup.
All syrup is now graded as Grade A with color descriptors of Golden
Delicate (the lightest), Amber Rich, Dark Robust, and Very Dark Strong.
We recently noticed a number of small, gift size, jugs of maple syrup
labeled Very Dark Strong for sale in a Gift Shop. We were surprised since
that is not a flavor that most maple connoisseurs would enjoy. We would
never serve Very Dark Strong maple syrup to our table guests. Good
maple flavor is more important to us.
There are many health benefits of pure New Hampshire maple syrup.
Unlike artificial sweeteners, which have virtually no health benefits, pure
maple syrup is 100 % natural and unrefined thus retaining the nutritional
value of the sap from the maple tree. The sap to syrup concentration
allows minerals to accumulate in a healthful composition. Key minerals
include calcium, manganese, potassium, and zinc. A tablespoon of pure
maple syrup contains 52 calories, 13 g of carbs, and virtually zero fat.
Other natural or artificial sweeteners cannot compare!
Fall is a wonderful time of year in New Hampshire. The weather is
delightful, those pesky black flies and mosquitoes are gone, and the colors
are spectacular. So what happens when leaves change color? During the
summer, the leaves are the food production source for the tree.
Chlorophyll gives leaves their basic color. Carotenoids produce the
yellow, orange, and brown colors. Anthocyanins give us those brilliant
red colors. As days grow shorter and nights grow longer and
cooler, biochemical processes in the leaf begins the color change. It
will vary from tree to tree, species to species, and from season to
season. The amount of moisture in the soil will affect fall colors. A
late spring or a severe summer drought may delay the onset of fall
colors. The single most predictable factor in leaf color change is
daylight. The shortening of daylight hours and lengthening of night
signals the tree to prepare for dormancy. Chlorophyll production slows
and the tree’s leaves turn color. Heavy frost or early snow will nip
the leaves and bring a halt to the fall foliage season. Sugar maples
usually have red to orange foliage while red maples typically produce
yellowish and sometimes scarlet red colors. We always look forward to
enjoying the variety of colors in our maple orchards. Please visit us
and see for yourself. A fall foliage trip in New Hampshire is one
to remember.
Please plan ahead for our Annual Open House on Maple Weekend in mid
to late March 2017. Watch for confirmation of the date on this Web Site.
We appreciate your interest in Mapletree Farm.
|
|
|
|
Welcome
to Mapletree Farm. In 2016 we are celebrating our 41st year of
producing quality NH-made maple from our sugarhouse in East Concord,
New Hampshire. Making maple syrup is a craft requiring skill, knowledge
and an eye for perfection. Combining practices passed down through the
generations with the latest technology available allows us to make
exceptional maple products, with a difference that you can taste. Maple
makes a great gift. We ship our products all over the world, and
will be happy to work with you on your order whether you are interested
in a gift for yourself, a loved one, or for unique corporate
promotions. We hope you come by and visit us during sugaring season to
see our
operation and our maple products. You can also check out our products
page to see the variety of authentic maple products available.
Sincerely, Meg and Dean Wilber
Next
year's Open House will be on or about March 25 & 26, 2017.
Please check back and we will update this space with any changes.
|
|
Visit Concord's best-kept maple secret!
You'll
be able to:
- Try samples
of syrup, coated nuts, sugar on snow and maple cream
- See
the sugar house in operation
- Learn how syrup
is made!
- Watch the sap
flow through hundreds of feet of tubing
- Take
a self-guided walking tour of the orchard and woodland
- Stock
up on maple products
Fun
for the whole family!
Click here
for directions!
|
|
 |
|
Hours - By Appointment
We have farmers' hours. That is, when we are at the maple farm or
farmhouse we are open.
Unlike
larger
maple
producers
we
do
not
have
set
hours
at
our
farmhouse
store.
We
are
often
out
working
the
sap
lines,
cutting
firewood,
or
packaging
syrup.
We
are
glad
to
have
visitors
so
please let
us
know
in
advance
when
you
would like to come, by contacting us either by phone or email. We
will
confirm
that
we
are
around and looking forward to
your
visit.
603-224-0820
or
mapletreefarm@comcast.net |
|
