Timothy Wilmot, UVM Extension Maple Specialist
M.S. Botany 1987, University of Vermont
Telephone: (802) 899-9926  Email : Timothy.Wilmot@uvm.edu

    My position with UVM Extension combines research with outreach and education. As one of two Extension Maple Specialists, I work closely with UVM Extension Maple Specialist George Cook to plan and facilitate educational events for sugarmakers, such as the January Vermont Maple Conferences. Another of my responsibilities is writing and talking about maple research, both my own and that of my colleagues at the Proctor Maple Research Center; as well as reporting on successful methods, innovations, and discoveries by other sugarmakers. Persons with maple questions can reach me by calling the Proctor Center, where my office continues to be located, or by e-mailing me at Timothy.Wilmot@uvm.edu. If I do not have an answer to your question, I can usually put you in touch with someone who does.
    One of my principal research interests is the sap flow mechanism in sugar maple, and the interactions among temperature, sap pressure, and sap flow rate. During the sugaring season I conduct experiments related to these phenomena, (a portion of which can be seen on our webpage “TREEMET”) as well as on related issues, such as the effects of vacuum on sap flow, and optimal timing of tapping for sugarmakers.

    A second research interest is forest nutrition and relationships among soil and foliar chemistry, tree growth and vigor, and sap sugar production in maple stands. Additionally, the efficacy of fertilizing maple stands, a topic of considerable interest to many forest managers in the northeast, has been the subject of several of my experiments.

Several of my recent publications, on topics such as sugarbush fertilization, vacuum system maintenance, and lead abatement, can be found elsewhere on this website.

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Abby van den Berg, Research Assistant Professor
Ph.D. Botany 2006, University of Vermont
M.S. Forestry 2000, University of Vermont
B.S. Forest biology 1999, University of Vermont
Telephone: (802) 899-9926   Email: avan@uvm.edu

   Since beginning to work at PMRC in 2001, I've focused on research projects in the areas of maple syrup chemistry, contamination and adulteration and maple physiology.  Much of our current research is focused on identifying the effects of equipment and technology used to process sap into syrup on the chemistry and flavor of maple syrup.  We are also conducting experiments to identify methods of cleaning maple evaporator pans which use smaller amounts of hazardous chemicals.  Some of our other recent work includes identifying and developing rapid tests for novel methods of syrup adulteration or sources of contamination, identifying the compound(s) responsible for 'metabolism' off-flavor in syrup and developing techniques to remediate off-flavored syrup.

I'm also fascinated by the question 'why do maple leaves turn red?' and have been conducting research on the physiological function of red anthocyanin pigments in autumn and spring maple leaves since 1999. 

    I'm the Vermont Monitoring Cooperative  (VMC) site operator. My responsibilities include collecting samples, field analysis and preparation of samples for shipment, and maintenance of the equipment. 
There are two VMC sites at PMRC; one is an air quality (A.Q.) site and the other is a forest canopy tower. The tower site is being reconstructed after some intense winds tipped it from its base last winter. The tower had been the site of some first-ever mercury flux measurements with Eric Miller of Ecosystems Research Group, LTD as principle investigator. A grant through the EPA and administered by VMC is funding the study. Eric’s mercury research continues at the A.Q. site. We are measuring reactive gaseous mercury, particulate mercury and gaseous elemental mercury, using Tekran analytical equipment. This is the latest generation of analytical equipment for measuring trace mercury, a potent neurotoxin that is concentrated as it moves up the food web
 There are two other programs at the A.Q. site that also deal with how much mercury deposition Vermont receives; the first is the longest continually running mercury monitoring program in the world. It is in co-operation with the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health Air Quality Lab.   Mercury Project .   The second is the NADP/ Mercury Deposition Network.