Our unusually mild winter even has the trees fooled.
The Massachusetts Audubon Society began tapping maple trees on Monday, and when workers checked the buckets the next day, some of them were overflowing.
The lack of snow and mild daytime temperatures means an early crop of maple syrup this year, said Richard Wolniewicz, property manager for Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield.
"It's early, but we've had early years before," Wolniewicz said. "Nothing surprises me about sugaring anymore. When we think we've figured it out, they (the trees) throw us another curve ball. It's such a funny business."
Sap flows best when it's below freezing at night and above 40 degrees during the day.
The society taps more than 100 trees each spring at their Topsfield property and several other nearby locations. Wolniewicz has two interns from Essex Agricultural and Technical High School helping with the effort this year.
They produce the syrup at the Topsfield sanctuary and host tours and educational programs for school and Scout groups. Locals can enjoy the fruits of their labors atop pancakes at the sanctuary's February Flapjack Fling on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Last year's record-breaking amount of snow helped to insulate the tree roots and produced a bumper crop of syrup — an all-time high of 68 gallons, Wolniewicz said. 2009 yielded 60 gallons, and 2007 was a bad year, he said, yielding just 32 gallons.
"There are so many variables involved in a New England winter," Wolniewicz said. "It's frustrating but at the same time an exciting business."
For more information on sugar shack tours or the Feb. 25 flapjack fling, visit www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver
Staff writer Bethany Bray can be reached at bbray@salemnews.com and on Twitter @SalemNewsBB.
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