March 20, 2013
Forest rangers finding illegal maple taps
A gallon of Maine maple syrup can sell for around $65, which is inspiring what one forest ranger says is an increase in illegal tree tapping in the Katahdin region.
The Bangor Daily News reported that Jeff Currier, the regional forest ranger overseeing ranger activities in southern Washington County and Hancock, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, says the number of illegal tree tapping cases has increased this year.
The problem is not just that sap is stolen, Currier says, but that the tapping causes stains through the wood that can reduce a tree's value for later harvesting.
Sap bandits going onto private property to tap trees can face trespassing, theft or criminal mischief charges, the paper reported.
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