Sugar Maple Testing Form Instructions

         

When a tree is suspected of having sap with above average sugar content, test the sap content of the five nearest trees and record the results on this form. Make sure to mark the tree with higher sap content and the neighboring trees with plastic flagging or in some other way.

 

If possible, measure the selected tree and candidate tree several times during the sap season. The sap sugar content of the candidate tree must be at least 30% sweeter than the average of five surrounding trees (standards) and must exceed the sweetest standard tree by a minimum of 0.5 percent.

 

            For example, consider the table below. On the 5th of March, the sap sugar concentration of a selected tree measured 3.8%. Five neighboring trees (standards) were measured, and their average sap sugar concentration was 2.4%. The selected tree’s concentration was 1.4% higher, which represents a 58.3% gain (1.4 / 2.4 * 100 = 58.3%). The same tree was measured 5 days later with similar results.  This tree is sweet enough to be reported to the Sugar Maple Tree Improvement Program.

 

 

 

 

Test date

Sugar Content (%)

 

 

 

 

% Gain

 

Selected tree

Standards

 

 

Standard average

1

2

3

4

5

5 Mar 2002

3.8%

2.3%

3.2%

1.9%

2.2%

2.4%

2.4%

+1.4

(58.3%)

10 Mar 2002

 

3.6%

2.2%

3.1%

2.1%

2.4%

2.7%

2.5%

+1.1

(44.0%)

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Sugar Maple Testing Form                              Tree number:             ____________

 

Owner’s name: ___________________________________________________________

Last name                                     First name

 

Owner’s address: _________________________________________________________

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

Owner’s telephone number: ______________ Owner’s email: _____________________

 

Name of person testing trees (if different from owner):

 

________________________________________________________________________

Last name                First name

 

Tester’s address: __________________________________________________________

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

Tester’s telephone number: ______________ Tester’s email: ______________________

 

Location of tree if different from owner’s address: _______________________________

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

Test date

Sugar Content (%)

 

 

 

 

% Gain

 

Selected tree

Standards

 

 

Standard average

1

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4

5

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% Gain = (Selected Tree Sugar Content – Standard Average Sugar Content)

Standard Average Sugar Content

 

Mail the completed form to:

Colin Campbell

60 Bear Cub Road

Lake Placid, NY 12946

518-523-9337