Last year, drought conditions in certain areas of New Brunswick led to a decrease in groundwater levels, raising concerns among maple harvesters about the potential impact on this year’s yield. The reduced rainfall and higher temperatures in 2025 resulted in the drying up of many wells and streams.
David Briggs, the owner of Briggs Maples in Hillsborough, explained that lower groundwater levels and sunlight can hinder photosynthesis in maple trees, leading to a decrease in sap production. However, he noted that the heat can contribute to trees producing more sugar, potentially resulting in sweeter sap this year despite the reduced rainfall.
Briggs emphasized the complexity of factors influencing sap production, stating that it is challenging to predict the outcome for the upcoming season. He mentioned that there is currently no method to assess the amount of sap a tree will produce and speculated that future advancements in science might provide such capabilities.
In response to the 2025 drought, residents in the area had to deepen their wells, with some experiencing wells running dry. Briggs expressed uncertainty about the groundwater levels at his maple farm, highlighting the difficulty in confirming the situation.
He pointed out that sap flows from trees through pressure generated by the freeze-thaw cycle, noting that inconsistent temperatures due to climate change have impacted this process. Briggs observed milder winters and warm spells during winter, which he believed would affect sap flow and overall yield.
The changing seasons have also altered the timing of tapping maple trees each year, with harvesting now commencing in mid- to early February instead of the traditional start around March. Briggs emphasized the importance of preparing for tapping when temperatures rise to optimize the sap flow.
Jane Scott, co-owner of Dumfries Maples near Nackawic, shared concerns about the significant decrease in water levels in streams at her farm due to the low summer water levels in the past year. She pondered how this would impact the upcoming maple season and expressed hope that the drought would not adversely affect their crop, acknowledging the uncertainty until the end of the season.