Maple Sugaring Spring Phenology Print this chart and record the date each events occurs. Any event marked with this sign should be reported to Journey North. Event Date Description First Maple Tree Tapped   The tree is tapped when the first sap run is expected soon. We watch for daytime high temperatures in the 40's, and nights still freezing, lasting over period of almost a week First Maple Sap Runs   Sap runs for the first time. Report to Journey North (Note: Even if you can't tap a tree, you can watch for the first sap to run. Simply find a broken branch on a Maple tree--and report to Journey North when the sap flows.) First Full Bucket   We've gathered the first 5 gallons of sap from single tree. Our first bucket is full! First Sap Boiled   Sap must be boiled now because warm temperatures would cause the sap to spoil. (Temperatures of stored sap must remain in the 30's.) First Bud Run   It's time to pull the tap. The sap becomes cloudy and we know it's the first bud run. Buds Break   When the buds break and you can see a light green hue to the woods, sugaring is over for the season. Our Tree Flowers   Maple trees flower just before leaves begin to form. Click here to see Maple Flowers. Leaf-out Occurs   Leaves on our maple tree are the size of a quarter. Report to Journey North Copyright 1999 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form