Maple syrup producers gather near Moose Creek to discuss storm recoveries, deforestation

MOOSE CREEK — Some SDG maple tappers will try making up for the loss of sap-producing trees north of Highway 417 damaged by the May 2022 derecho.

“Some of our neighbours are extending (their sap-gathering tubes),” said Anne Zoeller, operator of Zoeller Maple Products/Glengarry Maple Sugar Shack.

She said adding trees to the production isn’t readily possible, however, as an individual tree must be of a certain age. She personally won’t be adding trees, but rather working to overcome additional damage her woodlot suffered during an ice storm last winter.

While more sap production may be possible, Zoeller said she wasn’t sure if expansion plans were a direct correlation to the derecho, which was a topic at Saturday’s Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association – Eastern Local (OMSPA) annual meeting/seminar.

The need for government assistance to help syrup operators recover from the derecho was widely accessed, South Nation Conservation CAO Carl Bikerdyke told OMSPA members and expert presenters at Sand Road Maple Farm in North Stormont.