A single red maple tree can yield 10 gallons of sap over a season, which lasts on average 4 to 6 weeks. A large amount of water must be evaporated from the sap to produce a finished syrup.

ANDREW BUCHER uses his evaporator to make maple syrup at his home in Durham. Adam Cafro runs Cafro’s Maple out of Woolwich, where he operates about 250 taps.