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Ryan Annetts, left, and Jake Fairbairn stand outside the new sap house for the Tree Juice Maple Syrup operation in the Dry Brook Valley, about 10 miles from Arkville. — Photo by Jenny Neal
Tree Juice Maple Syrup Crew Taps Into A New Season
By Brian Sweeney
ARKVILLE — It’s late winter. A time when many Catskill Mountain residents are optimistically looking forward to warmer days on the horizon.
The outlook for the crew at Tree Juice Maple Syrup in Arkville is a bit different. Like most folks, they appreciate the warming temperatures that usually edge up in February and March. But cold nights are part of the package as those conditions are ideal for getting maple sap flowing for one of the region’s largest syrup producers.
This year, they started tapping about January 21, which is slightly later than last year when the first taps went in during mid-January, according to Tree Juice partner Jake Fairbairn.
“Earlier tapping is definitely the trend for commercial operations, as we need to capture every bit of sap we can. Some operations are even tapping in early December. The earliest sap has a lower sugar content, but it comes up to the normal range of 1.5-2 percent quickly,” he explained.
As of early March, the Tree Juice crew was still putting in some taps, and they anticipate having around 7,500 taps this season.
Jake noted, “We'll go till the sap turns ‘buddy,’ then we'll see if we want to keep going or call it a season. The goal is to hit 2,500 gallons. Last year was 2,600 and our record season was 2020 when we made 2,700 gallons. Every year is different, and this season is getting a pretty late start. Mother Nature calls the shots — we can only take what she gives us.”
In recent years, there’s a growing trend among some producers canning and selling maple sap. Jake said they have played around with bottling sap, but it's a very different product and he said they are not currently setup to handle that type of operation.
“Sap has a short shelf life, has to stay refrigerated, and the issue that we already can't make enough syrup!” Jake pointed out.
When it comes to their primary goal of making maple syrup, the Tree Juice operation traces its roots back nearly 100 years when the Jake’s family started a farming operation high up in the Dry Brook Valley, about 10 miles outside Arkville.
For decades, late winter signaled the arrival of maple syrup season as members of the Fairbairn family turned their labor towards tapping maples and boiling the sap down to make one of nature’s sweetest offerings. It was demanding work. Over the years, other aspects of the farming operation began to take priority, and the maple operation was largely abandoned at the start of this century.
Things changed in 2012. That’s when Jake and longtime friend Ryan Annetts, along with Rae Brundage, restarted maple production on the Fairbairn farm on Rider Hollow property. As part of the reboot, the property was dubbed Lazy Crazy Acres Farm, with the primary cleverly named Tree Juice Maple Syrup™.
They found a “sweet spot” with the public and the all-natural syrup was an immediate hit. Production grew at a quick pace. Today, they tap thousands of maple trees throughout the farm’s rolling hills. Because sap flow is weather dependent, but they have averaged about 2,500 gallons of syrup in recent years.
To help boost production, the crew utilizes an extensive network of tubing with a gravity feed to efficiently transport sap to the sugar house. Once the sap reaches its destination, a wood-fired evaporator efficiently boils the sap down to the perfect temperature to yield the prized Tree Juice Maple Syrup.
The farm’s signature product is maple syrup in its purest form. However, the team is always dabbling in creating innovative flavors to enhance the primary maple ingredients. That work has resulted in interesting flavor options such as Bourbon Barrel Aged, Vanilla Infused, Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged, and Zesty Lemon.
Tree Juice offers a series of Variety Packs, from 2-10 bottles. There’s also Maple Pancake Mix and Maple Sugar. There are also special seasonal varieties such as Strawberry Maple Syrup in early summer. Banana Maple Syrup is another option!
If you are looking for special Catskill Mountain taste treat as a present, let your favorite folks select for themselves with a Tree Juice Gift Card. Branded Juice Maple Syrup™ merchandise, includes hats and shirts that proudly announce your good taste! All these items may be purchased online at treejuicemaplesyrup.com. Syrup varieties are available throughout the region, including at The Kitchen Cheetah in Margaretville.
The Tree Juice Maple Syrup™ crew has also formed the first Maple Syrup CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). An established practice with many vegetable farmers, this type of arrangement was not common in among syrup producers. Customers pre-pay for a small or large share. At season’s end, they receive either a half- or full-gallon of freshly made maple syrup. Jake pointed out that this program helps provide maple farmers with the capital to purchase much-needed supplies for the start of the season.
The company website proudly declares, “Tree Juice Maple Syrup™ CSA members are loyal fans and true syrupaholics! Tree Juice could not have started without their support. Each year, we open up shares for new and returning members.”
For information on becoming a part of the Tree Juice Maple Syrup™ CSA, please visit: https://www.treejuicemaplesyrup.com/collections/csa
Follow Tree Juice Maple Syrup™ on Facebook or Instagram to be the first to find out when new products arrive.
If you’d like to experience the Tree Juice Maple Syrup™ operation firsthand, the public is invited to the Lazy Crazy Acres Farm’s saphouse at 251 Rider Hollow Road, Arkville, NY 12406 as part of the annual New York State Maple Weekend celebration on March 22 and 23 and March 29 and 30 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Products will be offered for sale in barn at 59 Rider Hollow Road, Arkville. Visit: treejuicemaplesyrup.com for additional information.
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