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Maple Magic

Updated: Mar 14

The maple is synonymous with Canada, an emblem since the 18th century and official on the Canadian flag since the proclamation by Queen Elisabeth II in January 1965. With over 100 species of maple, the most common is the Red Maple also known as Acer rubrum. The maple tree is used for high-end furniture, creating hardwood flooring that can be found in bowling alleys and of sweet maple syrup. Did you know it takes 45 litres of xylem sap from the sugar maple, to make just one litre of maple syrup? Here's more about magical maple.


Street stand covered in snow to make and buy a maple taffy
Outside la petite cabane a sucre, Quebec

Maple Magic


Maple syrup was first made and used by the indigenous people of North America. Today 85% of the world's maple syrup comes from Canada, with Quebec being the largest producer with 70%.


Planning a visit to Quebec? Discover more at the maple museum.


Landscape of Quebec during winter
Views of Quebec from the Observatoire de la Capitale

Maple Tree


Ten maple tree species are native to Canada including sugar, black, silver, bigleaf, red, mountain, stripped, Douglas, vine and Manitoba. The sugar maple produces the most prolific sap.

The sugar maple can be tapped up to, but not more than three times. Grown to over 40 years old and at least 10 inches in diameter to be tapped. Did you know you can even eat the young maple leaves? Some prefer them fried!


The red maple being reflected in the pond waters below