A tree ten inches in diameter is considered minimum tappable size for one tap. The normal maple season lasts 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes starting as early as February in southern Vermont and lasting into late April in northern Vermont. Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States, producing about 33 percent of the total U.S. crop in 1995. Every county in Vermont produces some maple syrup. It is estimated that we have around 2,000 maple producers in the state.
Production varies from year to year, with the weather playing an important role.
In recent years, the maple crop has ranged from a low of 275,000 gallons in 1987, to a high of 570,000 in 1992. Franklin County leads the state in production of maple syrup, and each April the county hosts a three-day maple festival. The following maple production figures for major maple producing states in New England and New York for the past few years show how Vermont's production compares to other states in the region. 249,000 Vermont has a strictly enforced maple grading law controlling standards of density, flavor and color. The grade of maple syrup must be plainly and correctly marked on each container, along with the name and address of the producer.