LOWVILLE, N.Y. -- Forestry students at the Howard Sackett BOCES Technical Center in Lewis County are assisting in a new research project.
"We're coming out everyday and checking, seeing how much sap we got, and then we're making the sugar content," said student Isaac Zehr.
The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is trying to determine the advantages and disadvantages of tapping maple trees earlier and later in the season.
Michelle Ledoux is the Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Lewis County.
"Basically, this is being done for us to help start collecting data on when the sap is running, and then there's been a lot of questions about with the weather changes, when we should actually start tapping the maple trees, and so this is just collecting that data and the quality of the sap as it's running and we'll collect it and go from there," said Ledoux.
This year’s maple weekend is right around the corner. But some say by 2080 the maple season could be in late January if climate change models are correct. That's why as News 10 Now's Amy Ohler explains research is underway through Cornell Cooperative Extension to determine when the best time to tap is.
Researchers said the decision on when to tap is critical. Both the start and stop of the sap season have moved about a week earlier in the past 30 years with an overall loss of three to four days.
Part of the reason this research is so important to the area is because just last year the maple industry added roughly $1.7 million into Northern New York's economy. So tapping too early or a day late could really make a difference in the industry's bottom line.
"People I think underestimate what part the sugaring industry really plays in, especially in Lewis County, but all Northern New York. It's you know, limited by the range of sugar maple, so it's not something that can be done all over the country. And so there is a limit to it, and yes, it does represent an economic factor that people need to be aware of," said Kevin O'Neill, conservation instructor.
As for the research, those involved will tap 36 trees at different intervals. The data will be tallied and compared to help determine the best tapping time.
And if you would like to learn more about maple syrup the 13th annual New York Maple Weekend is being held March 29th and 30th. Festivities go from 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. daily with free admission.