PICTURE OF SUGAR MAPLE LEAF FULL

The huge canopy of the tree casts shade over the entire house, and the evaporation of the water released by the leaves cools the air, a process known as transpiration cooling. The owners said they don’t need air-conditioning – even for our very hot summer. The last one I measured shades a big, historic farmhouses on a south-facing hill in Temple. Keeping the fire going in the sugar shack in March was probably a welcomed, warm job after surviving the cold winter months, not to mention the fun of making maple sugar snow candy. Thirty-two gallons or more of sap are needed to make a gallon of syrup.

A mature sap producing tree was probably the first cash crop of a farm year, conveniently at a time when little was happening on a farm. The annual spring harvest of maple syrup from this small sugar bush surrounding the house was surely the intent of planting so many sugar maple trees. They were obviously planted for their economic benefits, as well as cooling shade. The second sugar maple nomination is nearby in Lyndeborough in the yard of a historic farmhouse, growing along with other mature maples. Curly maple is especially prized in furniture for its interesting grain pattern. Photo by Anne KrantzĪ healthy hardwood maple of this size could be harvested for wide boards to make fine hardwood furniture as well as flooring and cabinet. Although there is not much canopy or crown left of this giant, the girth of its trunk is unbelievable.

PICTURE OF SUGAR MAPLE LEAF FULL

A pasture tree, sometimes called a wolf tree, means that it grew in full sun in a former pasture and it typically has a wide and symmetrical canopy. The trees around the maple are young compared to this mighty old tree that is now the new state champion. The first is in Deering in an overgrown pasture. Coincidentally, I had three sugar maple nominations, the iconic tree of NH and New England, renowned worldwide for its eagerly-anticipated spectacular fall color.

I have been busy all summer scouting down amazing trees and meeting wonderful tree-lovers. With folks working from home, they seem to be more aware of their property, or simply have the time to measure the circumference of their big trees, the information that is needed to submit a nomination. Happily, one volunteer activity that I am still able to do during the pandemic restrictions is to measure trees for the NH Big Tree program, following the UNH guidance.

Picture of sugar maple leaf