The production of pure maple syrup is the oldest agricultural enterprise in the United States. Only about 1 percent of Michigan's maple forest resource is used in maple syrup production. In an average year, each taphole will produce about 10 gallons of maple sap, enough for about a quart of pure Michigan maple syrup. It takes approximately 40 gallons of maple sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
Maple syrup is the first farm crop to be harvested in Michigan each year.
A maple tree needs to be about 40 years old before it will be large enough to tap for syrup production. The maple season in Michigan starts in February in the southern counties and runs well into April in the Upper Peninsula. While the sugaring season may last 6 to 10 weeks, most of the sap will be collected in 10 or fewer days. Maple sap is boiled to remove the water and concentrate the sugars in a process called evaporation. The boiling point of maple syrup is 219 degrees Fahrenheit, or 7 degrees above the boiling point of water.