New Brunswick is the third largest maple producer in the world, behind Quebec and Vermont.

Heather Fraser of Explore Nature’s Bounty says New Brunswick’s Maple Producers take their jobs very seriously, “We have a Producer in Northern New Brunswick, Jean Francoise, who has      180, 000 taps and he has 17 employees year-round. For him, it is year-round because of how many taps he has.”

For others, maple season typically lasts last five to six weeks, depending on the weather.

Fraser says conditions have been good so far with cool nights, with warmer days, “Mother Nature is very unpredictable so if all of a sudden she decides in early April that it’s going to be warmer, around ten to twelve degrees for an extended period of time, that will definitely shorten the season.”

March is Maplelicious month and tours at sugar camps are now being offered.

“You can learn about maple syrup production, where to tap on the tree, and how to tap. it takes 40 pails of sap to one pail of maple syrup. So, you’ve got to love what you’re doing because you’re going to work for that product.”

Fraser says there are only two types of maple trees that will give you maple syrup. Sugar or red maples are needed, “Those are the only two species. People have tapped different trees and asked me how come there is raw sap but it doesn’t have a sweet taste. It’s because you tapped the wrong species of maple.”

Trites Maple is one of many in the province that are open to the public on the weekends.

“Some offer a pancake breakfast, and you can experience, the maple experience by trying everything maple. I’m also doing tours for them. It’s about a 15-minute walk in but it’s a beautiful walk through the hardwood forest. It really gives them that little touch of maple and it’s a truly Canadian experience. I’m also doing private tours, that are a little more in-depth, and that is two hours behind the scenes. We start walking together at the church and we come through the forest and it’s very interpretive. You can try the Sap from the tree, go into the camp, and see the evaporator and how it all works. It’s a hands-on experience for those that haven’t experienced that truly Canadian tradition that we all know and love,” Fraser adds.