Last year, areas in New Brunswick experienced a decline in groundwater levels due to drought conditions, raising concerns among maple harvesters about the potential impact on this year’s yield. The scarcity of rain and higher temperatures in 2025 led to the drying up of wells and streams. David Briggs, the owner of Briggs Maples in Hillsborough, mentioned that reduced groundwater and sunlight could hinder photosynthesis in maple trees, resulting in decreased sap production. However, he noted that the heat could enhance sugar production in the trees.
Briggs speculated that this year’s sap might be sweeter due to increased sunlight but possibly less in quantity due to the lack of rainfall. He emphasized the complexity of factors influencing sap production, making it difficult to predict the outcome. Despite efforts in his area to drill deeper wells or facing wells running dry in 2025, Briggs couldn’t confirm if the groundwater levels on his maple farm were similarly affected.
He explained the process of sap extraction through the freeze-thaw cycle, highlighting the inconsistent temperatures caused by climate change. Briggs observed milder winters and winter warm spells, impacting sap flow and yield. The shifting seasons have altered the time for tapping maple trees, with harvesting now starting in mid-February or even earlier, compared to the traditional March start.
Jane Scott, co-owner of Dumfries Maples near Nackawic, also noticed a significant decline in water levels in streams on her farm during the past summer. She expressed concerns about how this water shortage might influence the upcoming maple season. With over 25 years of maple harvesting experience, Scott acknowledged the changing patterns of the season and anxiously awaited the season’s end to assess if the drought had affected their crop.
