AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine's Democratic governor is going to set off the state's maple season with a ceremonial tapping of a maple tree on the lawn of the governor's mansion. Gov. Janet Mills is scheduled to tap the tree at noon on Tuesday in Augusta. The tree tapping is an annual tradition in the Pine Tree State, where maple syrup is one of the most popular agricultural products.
The Democratic governor's office says Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal, legislators and maple producers will join Mills for the tapping.
The tapping of the Blaine House tree precedes Maine Maple Sunday, which is scheduled for March 24. That is the day maple producers around the state welcome the public to show how maple syrup gets from the tree to the pancakes.