Minnesota syrup producers are tapping trees weeks earlier than usual

DEER CREEK, Minn. (KVRR) – With the warm temperatures coming sooner than usual, even the trees are affected by already having available sap.

Broken Heart Sugar company in Otter Tail county has done their earliest tap for maple tree sap to make syrup ever.

This year, the company was able to tap on february 20th, 5 weeks earlier than they have ever tapped before.

They were able to start early due to a very warm winter, due to the strong El Nino, and the owner thinks this is a one-off event. Jim Heinze, proprietor of Broken Heart Sugar Company, said,”I think it’s a one off thing. You know what they call it El Nino, I’m going to go with that. “

Heinze also said, “I’ve never seen it, and I don’t think it will be a regular occurrence.”

Jim also said that he does not expect early tappings to have negative impacts on the trees.