Drought Could Impact Ontario’s Maple Syrup Industry

Maple Syrup Trees Hit Hard By Drought Conditions

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The summer drought, impacting most agricultural sectors across Ontario may even have negative implications for the Maple syrup producing industry and agriculture experts are keeping a watchful eye on places like Lanark County, which is hailed as Ontario’s “Maple Syrup Capitol”.

The lack of rainfall had caused stress for trees and leaves have been falling throughout August – which is weeks ahead of schedule for this time of year. It’s causing concern for maple syrup producers who predict that the dry conditions may be unfavorable for maple syrup production because the summer months is when trees are making sugar and it’s through moisture that is absorbed through the root system that serves as a catalyst for the sugar making process.

The trees that will be most impacted by the drought are the younger trees because they have a less established root system, which are often shallower and finding it hard to absorb the water from deep in the ground.  Experts are hoping for a good winter, so that the drought won’t have a prolonged impact on maple trees. The overall health of any tree depends on moisture, without it they will become more susceptible to diseases and insect infestations.