ASHS 2025 Conference

The value of maple syrup production in the United States was $159 million in 2024, a 17% increase from the previous year. The timing and yield of maple syrup production vary widely between years and regions, depending heavily on climatic conditions. Expanding maple syrup production to western states could help meet the ever-increasing demand for syrup and provide additional income for landowners in areas where maple resources have not traditionally been utilized. Boxelder (Acer negundo), native to the Intermountain West, and other non-native maple species are common in urban and suburban areas of the region. However, limited research has assessed the potential of these species for syrup production in the Intermountain West. On 11 Mar 2023, sap collection bags (18.9 L) were installed to tap 20 boxelder trees (diameter at breast height (DBH) = 26.2 ± 3.7 cm, mean ± SD) in Missoula, MT. On 1 Mar. 2023, buckets (11.4 L) were installed to tap 30 boxelder trees (DBH = 42.6 ± 13.3 cm) in Logan, Providence, and Smithfield, UT. On 27 Feb 2023, buckets (11.4 L) were installed to tap 30 boxelder trees (DBH = 28.4 ± 8.8 cm) at the Sybille Research Site, Wheatland, WY. Sap was collected regularly to determine yield per tree from 12 Mar to 9 Apr 2023, in Montana; 2 Mar to 10 Apr 2023, in Utah; and 2 Mar to 1 May 2023, in Wyoming. Temperature data were obtained from the National Weather Service. A logistic model was used to fit the cumulative sap yield over time, comparing data from the three states. The location of boxelder trees significantly impacted sap yield. Seasonal sap yields were 18.9, 34.4, and 41.1 L per tree in Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, respectively, during the 29-, 41-, and 63-day tapping periods. Boxelder trees in Montana produced significantly higher daily sap yields than those in Utah and Wyoming, likely due to the shorter tapping season. With a similar tapping start date in Utah and Wyoming, boxelder trees in Utah began producing sap earlier than those in Wyoming, which may be related to temperature differences. However, boxelder trees in Wyoming yielded a greater total sap volume than those in Utah and Montana.