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Can't fight Mother Nature!

by Don 3/19/2012 3:23:00 AM

Sunday, March 18th, was our last day of sap collection for 2012.  The rate of flow and quality of the sap has changed. Maple trees respond to various conditions of environmental stress with physiologic changes.  The extremely warm temperatures affect tree cell metabolism, which then changes the  biochemistry of the sap. Studies show that the warm conditions change the amino acids of the sap, creating a natural "off" flavor called "metabolism".  The only option for sugarmakers is to stop processing.  If an extreme cold period in the 20's arrives, this can change sap conditions again.  There does not appear to be any chance of cold temperatures on the horizion, so I believe we are done. Mother Nature always wins!

 

Check out this link to the WCCO TV segment about Somerskogen Sugarbush - http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/03/18/finding-minnesota-somerskogen-sugarbush/