Naturalist Notes: Sugarbush: Past, Present and Future
Written by: Cathy Molitor, Naturalist at JNC
Tucked away in the heart of the Johnson Nature Center lies a place where history, nature, and tradition intertwine— the Sugarbush. This stand of maple trees holds secrets that stretch back more than a century, offering both a glimpse into the past and a promise for the future. Whether dripping with the sweetness of spring sap or blazing with autumn colors, the sugarbush has been a special place for generations of families, educators, and conservationists.
The history of the Johnson Nature Center Sugarbush is shrouded in mystery. In the 1990’s a forestry professional surveyed the trees, and it was discovered that the oldest ones were about 75 years old, meaning they took root around 1920. But who planted them? And, why? Aerial photos from shortly after that time show a much smaller sugarbush, and while today’s trees stand in neat rows, early images don’t reveal any obvious patterns. Younger trees have since joined the mix, though whether they sprouted naturally or were planted by human hands is another puzzle. By the time of the survey, the youngest trees were 35 years old—making them around 60 today. But you’d be hard-pressed to pick them out now, as they’ve grown to rival their elders.
The Olsen Family, who owned the land before it became Johnson Nature Center (JNC), recognized its value early on. The trees were too young to tap back then, but that didn’t mean they weren’t appreciated. Where the Sugar Shack now stands was once a deep pit, and every Autumn, the Olsen children would rake in heaps of fallen maple leaves, transforming it into nature’s own ball pit. The Olsen’s shared this special place they called home when artists and photographers would ask to capture its beauty every fall—proving that even before it produced syrup, the Sugarbush was already a sweet place to be.
Maple Sugaring has been a tradition at JNC for decades, with the Sugar Shack built in 1975 as a testament to the craft. Over the years, production remained modest, typically yielding between 5 and 15 gallons of syrup, with a record-breaking 35 gallons harvested during 2023. The number of tapped trees has fluctuated as well, usually between 30 and 50, but more recently reaching over 100. Historically, JNC relied on galvanized buckets and metal spiles, but since 2022, about 50 trees have been tapped using a tubing system. While tubing on its own doesn’t drastically increase sap production, it streamlines the laborious task of sap collection, allowing sugar makers to cover larger areas and collect from more trees. Having both systems side by side offers a unique opportunity to showcase the evolution of sap collection methods to the public and school groups visiting the Sugarbush in March.
Despite its long history, the Sugarbush isn’t just a relic of the past—it’s a rare conservation success. Unlike much of the surrounding area, through the hard work of many hands this area has resisted invasion by the relentless Buckthorn. Protecting this unique resource remains a top priority. Last year, about 30 Black Locust trees were cut down to open up a canopy to allow Maple seedlings to grow. In addition, with the help of DTE and ReLeaf, 25 new Maples were planted. The current plant is to expand the sugarbush to make it about two acres in total.
It's not just the land that’s set to transform — the Sugar Shack will hopefully see some improvements as well. Extending electricity to the area is a top priority, followed by the addition of a small kitchen area for bottling syrup and, finally, installing new restrooms. These upgrades are part of the JNC’s master plan, and will not only enhance the sugaring process, but ensure that the Sugarbush remains a vibrant community hub for generations to come.
Hundreds of people enjoy the Sugarbush year-round — from students on field trips, families attending community programs, photographers capturing the brilliance of fall foliage to summer campers seeking shade beneath its canopy. Whether for work, play, or simply a moment of quiet reflection, all who visit would agree—the Sugarbush is the sweetest place to be!
Historical view of nature center and sugarbush in upper left/center
Sugar Shack in the summer
Sugarbush from across pond