Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup
Key Requirements
| Land | Low to Medium |
| Labor | Medium |
| Capital | Medium |
Take the HortBizQuiz to see how much Land, Labor, and Capital you have for your operation.
Markets
- Direct to Consumer
- Farmer's Market
- On-Farm Stands
- Local Grocery
Pests & Disease
Maple trees in Kentucky are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases that can impact their health and appearance. Common pests include aphids, which cause leaf curling and excrete sticky honeydew that attracts sooty mold, and scale insects, which feed on sap and weaken the tree. Other pests, such as borers (e.g., the Asian longhorned beetle and maple shoot borer), can tunnel into the wood, leading to structural damage and dieback. Diseases affecting maples include tar spot, which creates unsightly black spots on leaves, and anthracnose, which causes leaf blight and premature leaf drop. Verticillium wilt is a serious fungal disease that can lead to branch dieback or even tree death. Proper tree care, such as regular pruning, good air circulation, and pest monitoring, is essential to prevent and manage these issues effectively.
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
Challenges
- Food safety guidelines have to be followed for processing maple sap into syrup, sugar, candies, and other food products.
- Collecting maple sap can be labor intensive.
- Investment in specialized Facilities and equipment is necessary for producing saleable maple syrup.
Opportunities
- Increased profits can be made by turning syrup into maple confections such as maple candy, maple granulated sugar, maple cream/spread, etc.
- Maple syrup can be produced from the sap of any maple tree.