Collaboration Supporting Bigleaf Maple Syrup Development in Washington

Washington State University Extension foresters are working with regional collaborators to support the development of bigleaf maple syrup production in Washington. The project is funded by a Specialty Crop Block Grant. WSU Extension Forester Patrick Shults says the project will create a bigleaf maple sugaring school, as well as an online toolkit for producers. In addition, it will help local manufacturers producing sugaring equipment. Bigleaf maple is a fast growing species with multiple stems that make it a good candidate for tapping, even though it has lower sugar content in its sap than the traditional sugar maple. “Bigleaf maple sugaring presents an opportunity for farm and forest owners to diversify their income and how they use their land,” Shults said. “Traditionally marginal lands or lands in riparian buffer zones that can’t be cultivated for timber can be used to produce maple syrup.”
Related ATTRA publication: Maple Sugaring: An Introduction to Small-Scale Commercial Production