Last year’s drought conditions could lead to less maple sap this year, NB harvesters worried
listen to this article
estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article has been generated by AI-based technology. There may be mispronunciations. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve results.
Last year’s drought conditions depleted groundwater levels in parts of New Brunswick, leaving some maple harvesters worried about what that could mean for this season’s yield.
Many wells and rivers dried up in 2025 due to low rainfall and above normal temperatures.
David Briggs, owner of Briggs Maples in Hillsboro, said less groundwater or sunlight means less photosynthesis for his maple trees, which then translates into less sap production.
But the heat also helps trees produce more sugar, he said.
“Maybe the juice will be sweeter this year because there’s so much sunshine… but it’ll probably be less because of the lack of rain,” Briggs said.
“There are so many factors involved that it’s very difficult to tell at this point what to expect.”
Briggs said there’s no way to look at a tree and estimate how much sap it will produce.
“You can’t predict whether a tree will have a good year or not. Maybe someday science will give us that ability,” Briggs said.
He said, people in his area dug their wells deeper and some went dry in 2025.
Briggs said the exact same thing may be the case with the groundwater levels on his maple farm, but there is no way to confirm.
He said trees extract sap through pressure created due to freeze-thaw cycles and due to climate change the temperature also does not remain constant.
He said they have also seen mild winters and warm weather during the winter.
“Ultimately, it will definitely impact sap flow and yield,” he said.
Due to changes in weather, the timing of tapping maple trees has also changed every year, he said, as sap begins to flow as temperatures rise.
People now start harvesting in mid- or even early February, Briggs said, whereas the season used to start around March.
“You’re basically better off, you know, drill your holes and have the taps ready, and be ready when the temperatures start getting hot,” he said.
Jane Scott, co-owner of Dumfries Maples near Nackwick, said water levels in some streams on her farm had dropped significantly.
“I would say water levels last summer were unusually low compared to normal,” she said.
“We began to wonder what effect this would have on our upcoming maple season and whether or not it would have a detrimental effect.”
His family has been harvesting maple for more than 25 years and he said he has also noticed changes in the weather. But the only time to know whether his crop has been affected by drought will be at the end of the season.
“We’re hoping that doesn’t happen, but it’s in the back of our minds,” Scott said.
