Ohio Maple Syrup Season Off To Slow Start Due To Cold Temps

Maple syrup producers in Ohio say bitterly cold temperatures have hindered the beginning of tree-tapping season. The typical Ohio syrup season - which ideally has warm days and below-freezing temperatures at night - begins in mid- to late-February. But it's been so cold that sap isn't flowing, and some producers haven't been able to tap trees. Much of the state saw snow, frigid temperatures and wind chills reaching 25 degrees below zero in February. Ohio's syrup season also had a slow start last year, when the state produced about 130,000 gallons of syrup, down from about 155,000 gallons in 2013. Ted Wiseman with the Ohio State University Extension in Licking County says there's still time for production to bounce back.