Sap collection is underway for Michigan maple syrup producers, but some are not participating this season. After last year's ice storm in northern Michigan, some farms are still in recovery mode and aren't tapping trees.
Christi Peterson co-owns Maple Moon Sugarbush and Winery in Petoskey. She said almost 20 miles of sap collection tubes were damaged after trees fell on them during the storm in 2025.
"With expert opinion, we decided it is not salvageable. We decided to yank it out even though we don't have a final quote from the insurance company," she explained.
Petersen said a forester came out and evaluated the woods, as well. They decided to hire his company to remove dangerous, hanging branches and help by cleaning up the trails.
She said it's still unclear how much insurance will pay for the repairs or if they will get any federal aid for clean-up. Petersen said that Maple Moon's showroom and winery is still operating as normal.
They have just over a year's worth of maple syrup in reserves to keep the doors open. Petersen said they hope they'll be ready to tap the trees again next sap collection season.
