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The Proctor Maple Research Center is a field research station of the Department of Plant Biology at ¶¶Òõ̽̽. 

The sugar maple tree (Acer saccharum) has roots in everything we do. We strive to contribute to the practical and scholarly knowledge required for the success of the maple industry, through research, demonstration, and education.

Our applied research has produced new techniques for sap collection and evaporation and for improving syrup quality, while basic research has shed light on the physiology and health of sugar maple trees and the chemistry of sap and syrup. We also serve as a field classroom for students, scientists in many disciplines, and maple syrup producers, offering presentations and tours.

We have two major stands of sugarwoods and a modern sugarhouse that support our demo sugaring operation. Each year, we put out about 5,000 taps to produce about 3,000 gallons of maple syrup.

Maple research at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ began in the 1890s. The Proctor Maple Research Center was established in 1946, when Governor Mortimer Proctor donated the former Harvey Farm in Underhill to ¶¶Òõ̽̽.

Our research has enhanced knowledge of the sap flow mechanism, weather variables affecting sap yield, carbohydrate metabolism, sap biochemistry and microbiology, syrup chemistry, and wood anatomy and physiology, as well as sugar maple health in relation to various biotic and abiotic stresses such as nutrition and climate. We have recently joined , where you can search for our publications.