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MSU funds research with syrup

Michigan State University’s newest forestry research is tapping into its own resources for funding.

The MSU Department of Forestry is tapping 2,000 trees to compare the economic benefit of tapping sugar maples verses harvesting trees for timber. The project will also compare the growth of tapped and untapped trees at the Fred Russ Research Forest in Southwest Michigan.

Michigan is fifth in the U.S. for maple syrup production, but taps only one percent of maple forests. Researchers at MSU believe this project will help to grow the industry and encourage more landowners to tap. Spartan Pure Maple Syrup sales will be used to fund this and other MSU Forestry projects.