Sugar bush

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Sugar bush refers to a forest stand which is exploited for maple sugar. The tree canopy is dominated by sugar maple or black maple. Other tree species, if present, form only a small fraction of the total cover.

The maples are tapped in early spring, often while snow still lies on the ground. After the tapping period, there is a profusion of spring wildflowers which take advantage of unobstructed sunlight while the trees are still bare. In summer, a healthy sugar bush is luxuriant and shady. Autumn leaves are colorful, especially on the sugar maples.