Maple syrup not flowing due to cold, snowy winter, experts say
Sugar bush festivals offer lots of fun, family activites, tours

YorkRegion.com
March 2, 2014
By Michael Hayakawa

For some people, the arrival of spring begins when the daylight hours become longer and thermometer begins to hover over the freezing mark.

For others, it’s when the snow gradually recedes from their yard or with the sighting of robins.

But for those working at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area in Stouffville, the first rite of spring is when the sap starts to flow from the maple trees.

When this transpires, the production of an iconic Canadian gourmet delight known as maple syrup takes place.

For those wishing to see how maple syrup is produced, an opportunity exists by venturing to the Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area or the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan where they launched their annual Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival Saturday and will continue through April 6.

“The flow of maple syrup is a traditional spring thing and it’s our slogan that it’s a sure sign of spring,” cited Andrew Morin, a Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area festival spokesperson.

While the production of maple syrup is one indicator of spring’s arrival, Old Man Winter’s steadfast refusal to vacate York Region has delayed the start of the maple syrup season.

Judy Kowalski, a Bruce’s Mill festival tour guide, confirmed this year has been different from the norm.

With the presence of below-normal temperatures, the sap has yet to start flowing out of the trees.

“I’ve never seen this amount of snow at this stage of the year. It’s been quite the year. But I guess it’s par for the course,” she cited.

“Looking at the temperatures we don’t know when (the flow of sap from the trees) will start,” added Morin. “I’ve been here (at Bruce’s Mill) for three years now and this is definitely the latest (when the sap begins to run) for me.

“It might be the latest in the last five to 10 years.

“It’s all up to Mother Nature.”

Based on what advanced weather forecasts they’ve heard, Morin and Kowalski said the sap may not begin to flow until the middle of this month.

“Last year, we started around March 2, that was the day we began our Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival last year and the sap was running for close to one week. We’re definitely behind this year,” acknowledged Morin.

For the sap to begin flowing out of the trees, he pointed out ideal conditions should see outside evening temperatures being no lower -5C and around +5C during the day.

When those conditions are sustained over a period of days, Kowalski noted it’s not uncommon for the metal pails hanging on the trees where holes were tapped on their site to fill up as much as three times a day.

“It’s nice when the kids can see the sap dripping out. But on some days you might get nothing,” when Mother Nature throws a curve, she said. “It’s all weather dependent.

“Right now, we need warmer weather.”

Citing their maple syrup festival has been in existence for close to 43 years on some 12 acres of land originally owned by the Bruce family where they managed a part of the land as a maple sugar bush before becoming Toronto and Region Conservation Authority property in the 1960s, Morin said their maple sugar bush is purely utilized as a demonstration site.

If you are taking in the festival, you can learn how the product has been produced, starting with the natives and progressing through the years when the pioneers settled in the area right up to the present day in which maple syrup is produced commercially as evidenced by the plastic lines emanating from various trees that flow into the sugar shack where the sap is collected and refined into maple syrup.

Of the approximate 12 acres, Morin noted they utilize around half of the land for their demonstrations.

“The program itself runs the same time every year,” he said.

During the festival, Morin noted guide tours, which last around 45 minutes in duration, are available.

As well, you can take the tour on your own by following a well-marked path with signs detailing the history of maple syrup and the process involved in making it.

While the festival’s theme is about maple syrup, Morin and Kowalski noted the tour also places an emphasis on outdoor education.

And for the youngsters who attend, there’s a variety of other activities they can partake in.

Among them include a pancake breakfast, horse wagon rides, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, magicians, ice carving, tobogganing, bonfire and roasting marshmallows.

As for how many people they expect will attend this year’s festival, Morin estimated in the past it has attracted some 30,000 individuals.

SIDEBAR

Along with activities, both festival sites also have a retail outlet where people can purchase maple syrup.

The festival runs weekends and during the March break from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public tours are run every hour on the hour.

From Wednesday to Friday, Kowalski noted the site is reserved for booked tours.

As a part of the festivities, the Kortright Centre for Conservation will host a special Maple Syrup by Lamplight evening March 22 at 7:30 p.m.

This special evening begins with a guided twilight tour of Kortright’s Maple sugar bush.

Those attending can taste real maple syrup, visit the sugar shack and learn about old-fashioned and modern methods of maple syrup production.

You can also enjoy a warm campfire and a fire-side treat.

Advanced tickets are required and are $12 for adults, $10 for conservation members, $6 for youths and seniors, $5 for youth or senior conservation members or $30 for families.

To purchase tickets, call 416-667-6295.

Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area will host a Seniors’ Day March 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The cost is $7.50 (includes HST) and includes entrance fee, guided tour and pancake breakfast.

Tour times are from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Regular festival admission is $10 for adults and $6.50 for kids, students and seniors.  

Children four and under are admitted free with their family and Conservation Parks members are free.  

Parking is $4 per vehicle at Kortright Conservation Centre and free at Bruce’s Mill.

If you wish to attend the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival, Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area isat 3291 Stouffville Rd. and Kortright Centre, 9550 Pine Valley Dr. in Vaughan.

For a complete schedule of events, visit maplesyrupfest.com