Warm weather causes concern for tree tapping

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – Maple sap is running early, increasing the likelihood of a short maple syrup season.

As an atmospheric river of rain strikes California, with landslides and major flooding alongside vicious winds. Abnormal warmth settles in across the Midwest. In fact, Wausau shattered record high temperatures yesterday that were set back in 2005. Now, 54 degrees for February 4th, 2024 goes down in history. And the warmth continues this week. As a high pressure holds here, it stalls the low pressure on the west coast. Which is why they are being flooded and warmth remains here.

In fact, another record reached in Wausau, as the area hasn’t seen any snow on the ground to kick the month of February off in decades. In fact, it’s only happened twice, ever. And the longest the area has gone without snow on the ground in winter, is 7 days. The next chances of light snow may fall Friday, which will make that 10 days with no snow on the ground.

While many soak up the sun with smiles, the warm weather is causing concern for syrup harvesters. Temperatures like this might be good for maple syrup producers in the spring. But in early February, not so much. Making tapping tricky this season.

Ideal weather conditions are sunny warm days and below freezing nights. As the ground thaws out, trees produce sap. And they are doing this now. Once tree buds become full of sap, they start growing and the stream stops. So, local harvesters need to tap as soon as you can.

Experts say the sap is over 98% water. So to make 1 gallon of syrup, it will take roughly 43 gallons of sap.