Is global warming affecting your pancakes?

[stephanie]

Warm temperatures confuse maple trees into making sap too early


Updated: 3:38 p.m. AKT March 12, 2007


Lisa Daniels
Correspondent

MONTPELIER, Vt. - Morse and his son, Tom, are tapping the last of their 4,000 maple trees.

This land has been in Morse's family for seven generations. But never has there been more uncertainty about when to tap.

“Some years, like last year, we lost out,” he says. “We lost the first run, but I am not worried this year. We're almost fully tapped, and we're going to be ready for the first tap.”

Or so he hopes.

The problem? The weather.

When Morse was growing up, it was a sure thing — tapping began the first Tuesday in March. But now, warmer-than-usual winters are confusing the maples — and the farmers.

“If they tap too early, then the tap holes will dry out and they won't collect as much sap,” says Tim Perkins, a professor of plant biology at the University of Vermont. “If they tap too late, then obviously there have been some sap flows that have already occurred that they have missed.”

Which means lost revenue. So one of the oldest Vermont industries is bucking tradition and turning to technology for help.

To put it in perspective, the traditional way to tap a maple tree is to use a spout and a bucket and let nature take its course. Not anymore. Buckets have been replaced by tubes and vacuums, all thanks to Morse’s son, Tom, who has been urging his dad to change with the times.

But it isn't easy. “It takes some coercion to get him to go along with new ideas, for sure,” says Tom.

Burr Morse knows the stakes are high. His family depends on the sap. His brother, Elliott Morse, spins it into candy. And Burr Morse will do anything to keep the farm for his son.

“My son, he loves sugaring like I do, like my father did before me,” says Burr Morse.

Even if it means doing what he hates the most — making changes — he is willing to do anything to keep the sap flowing.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17581823/

[Gaffer]

Things change and humans adapt.

[Psychoblues]

I've noticed mine being quite crispy around the edges lately and I like them that way. The sausage is also a bit more done and I like that as well. The polar icecaps, however, are melting and I don't like that.

[Rahul]

Things change and humans adapt.

How would you suggest the maple trees adapt?

http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_stop.asp?id=24


New Hampshire, NH — Sticky Situation in New Hampshire



New Hampshire's forests are exceptional for the beauty and productivity of its maple trees. In the fall, it's the maple tree that provides the most spectacular scenery - and in the early spring the maples are tapped for their famous syrup. But the maple tree produces both the visual glory and the delicious syrup under specific weather conditions. Northeast forests - and maple trees in particular - thrive because of the temperature cycles of the region. Sharply cold nights and mild days in the early autumn and early spring give rise to a kaleidoscope of color and nearly 90,000 gallons of maple syrup. Learn more at New Hampshire's Maple Weekend.

Warmer winters caused by Global Warming are threatening the habitat of the maple tree, which does not thrive in milder conditions. Scientists estimate that the Northeast's average yearly temperature could rise by about 4-5 degrees over the next few decades. The warmer climate means that the maple tree - along with the rest of America's northeast forests will be more susceptible to disease, insects and drought.

It's more serious than just dry pancakes. The loss of the maple trees would have a disastrous effect on New Hampshire's economy. Tourism would dry up along with syrup production. Thousands of jobs would be lost and a way of life would be gone forever.

[stephanie]

Oh heaven help me.....

We've went from Polar bears.........to Maple tress....

Four months later ..............from when this article was posted..............

[Rahul]

Oh heaven help me.....

We've went from Polar bears.........to Maple tress....

If you recall, you were the one that posted the article, not me.

[stephanie]

If you recall, you were the one that posted the article, not me.

Yes I did.....

And do you have the problem to solve........the bunny with his pancake on his head....?????

[Psychoblues]

Your problem and your pancakes, peaches.

Yes I did.....

And do you have the problem to solve........the bunny with his pancake on his head....?????

Exactly what is your proposition?