Harvesting sap from Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo) trees results in a syrup yield that is commercially viable but significantly lower than that of sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Key findings include:
- Sap and syrup yield per tap: Manitoba maple trees produce about 9.8 to 15–20 liters of sap per tap per season, with an average syrup yield of approximately 0.22 to 0.32 liters per tap. This is roughly one-quarter to one-half the syrup yield of sugar maple taps[1][2][3].
- Sugar content: The sap’s sugar concentration is slightly lower than that of sugar maple, averaging around 4.3° Brix, which means more sap is required to produce a liter of syrup. For example, at 2% sugar content, about 43 liters of sap are needed to make one liter of syrup[1][3].
- Flavor: The syrup produced from Manitoba maple sap has a unique, pleasant, slightly nutty flavor that distinguishes it from traditional sugar maple syrup. It is considered commercially saleable and has a niche market appeal[1][3].
- Production scale and market: As of the mid-1990s and early 2000s, there were thousands of Manitoba maple trees tapped commercially in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, producing hundreds to a few thousand liters of syrup annually. Producers report that the syrup sells well locally, and a small but growing industry exists[1][2][4].
- Harvesting conditions: Sap flow and syrup yield depend heavily on environmental factors such as temperature cycles. The tapping season is shorter and yields can vary year to year, but typical sap collection occurs during late winter and early spring when freeze-thaw cycles are present[4][5].
In summary, while Manitoba maple sap yields less syrup per tap than sugar maple, it offers a viable alternative syrup source with a distinctive flavor, supporting a small but expanding regional syrup industry in the Canadian Prairies[1][2][4][3].
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- https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/pdf/10.5558/tfc73327-3
- https://www.producer.com/news/manitoba-maples-can-be-tapped/
- https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/96-328-m/2004032/4194001-eng.pdf
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/maple-syrup-season-1.6809706
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_syrup
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