Sugar Maples in the Adirondacks

The sugar maple is one of the most economically, culturally, and ecologically important trees in the eastern United States. These trees are known for their high-quality wood, sweet sap, and the bright colors of their leaves as they change in the fall. The sap from these trees fuels the production of maple syrup, a multi-billion dollar industry. Additionally, the brilliant leaf colors attract tourists to the area in the fall, which many small businesses rely on. On an ecological level, these trees are fundamental to the hardwood forests because they cultivate more fertile soils and help maintain a greater biodiversity of plants and soil.

Recently sugar maples have shown signs of going through a period of decline. By analyzing growth rings from trees in the Adirondacks, scientists at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry were able to determine that sugar maple’s growth has been slowing down since 1970. Scientists have said that the reasons for this slow down are uncertain. Researchers have looked into the impacts climate change and acid rain on the sugar maples, but evidence does not suggest they are the main offenders of this decreasing growth. This does not completely eliminate climate change and acid rain as factors in the problem. Stressors such as these can make trees less tolerant of pests or diseases, which could contribute to their declining growth. A slower pace of growth is not a definite sign that the trees will die or that it is impossible for them to recover. However, this issue is still concerning because of the great importance of the tree in the North. If the trees continue to decline and ultimately die, the economy of the Adirondacks will be altered, along with the diversity of other plants in the area.

Some symptoms of sugar maple decline include reduced twig growth, reduced foliage growth, and early fall coloration. If the distance between the bud scars to the bud of a twig is less than five centimeters it usually indicates the tree is in trouble. Also, since maples normally change colors in mid-to-late September, if these colors appear earlier than usual—like late July or early August—the maple is most likely suffering from decline.

Early coloration 

Works Cited:

"Maple Decline: Various Factors." (1999): n. pag. Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Web. <http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/mapledecline.pdf>.

"New Study: Adirondack Sugar Maples In Decline -." The Adirondack Almanack. N.p.,    21 Oct. 2015. Web. 29 Oct. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2015/10/new-study-adirondack-sugar- maples-in-decline.html#more-56561>.