Local syrup producers are starting to get to work this week so you have something to complement your pancakes and sausage with this year. February 28th is the unofficial start of the sap collection season for maple syrup production. Cold nights and warmer days can make all the difference in the world when it comes to sap pouring out of trees and into collection containers. While some producers use extraction devices to pull the sap out of trees, others like Bill Roethle from Hillside Apples in Casco rely on gravity to do the work. After tapping on Tuesday, Roethle has already collected 400 gallons of sap, well ahead of last year’s pace where freezing temperatures slowed the process down. He jokes that his hobby is becoming more and more involved, forcing him to evolve with it.

Roethle hopes to produce enough syrup to sell in his store this fall with the remaining sap sold to different vendors through the wholesale market.