Maple syrup-makers say warm winter may hurt production
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Producers in the U.S. "Maple Belt" say a mild winter has allowed them to tap trees early, but the harvest could be down from last year due to the early onset of spring warmth.
The arrival of consistently warm weather typically ends the maple season, because budding trees produce sap that makes for much less palatable syrup.
Maine's maple syrup season got started abnormally early this year, with sap buckets visible on trees around Valentine's Day in the southern part of the state.
Maine Gov. Paul LePage symbolically kicked off the unofficial start of maple syrup season by tapping a tree Tuesday.