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How to Grow Maple Trees and Produce Maple Syrup [Advanced Guide]

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Once you approach the point of growing Stardew Valley Maple Trees, you need to understand everything that includes Maple trees, including resources, mainly Maple Syrup. Luckily, we have put together this article on how to grow maple trees and produce maple syrup with Stardew Valley maple trees.

We have tested and examined everything you need to know about Stardew Valley maple trees so we can provide the most advanced guide for gamers like you. We will walk you through advanced tactics to grow maple trees correctly and extract the maximum amount of maple syrup and other resources. So let’s take a look!


Stardew Valley Maple Tree: What is it?

The maple tree is one of 4 common trees or six non-fruit trees in Stardew Valley. When planting a maple seed, you are guaranteed it will grow through 4 different growth stages, eventually reaching level 5.

The resources that Maple trees include are:

  • Wood
  • Hardwood
  • Maple Seeds
  • Hazelnuts
  • Sap
  • Fitted with Tappers, Maple Syrup.


What Does Maple Tree Look Like?

Four different looks of Maple Tree
Four different looks of Maple Tree / Image: Pigtou.com

Planting a Maple seed in Stardew Valley will occur in stages; in the first growth stages, from stage one to four, the tree will not change in appearance during different seasons. By stage 5, the tree will completely change how it looks each season. With this feature, you can understand and differentiate the maple tree from other trees.

During spring, the Stardew Valley maple tree will grow large green leaves. While in the summer, you will see green leaves with yellow flowers blooming, with a trunk that will slightly change its colour to a light reddish hue.

Autumn is a colourful time for Stardew Valley and the maple trees. The maple tree and its leave will turn purple and paints the trunk brown with a slightly darker reddish hue. While in the winter, the tree will lose all of its leaves, looking completely naked.

TIP: If you cut down maple tree or the lightning hits it (yes, sometimes you’ll get lightning strikes in Stardew Valley), your tree will turn into a stump that changes its colour during seasons.

You can also shake down maple trees to get dropped seeds on and off your farm. Maple tree usually drops maple seeds. However, it can also drop hazelnuts in the fall. Checking dropped seeds will help you identify trees in the game.


Maple Tree vs. Oak Tree throughout the Seasons

Many complain that separating Maple from Oak trees is challenging, especially when they grow side-by-side. We’ll get you through the main differences between these two common trees throughout the seasons.


Maple Tree vs Oak Tree in Spring

Oak Tree vs Maple Tree in Spring
Oak Tree vs Maple Tree in Spring / Image: Pigtou.com

Although the leaves have the same green colour on both trees in spring, you’ll find larger leaves on a Maple tree. Also, the root is wider on the Maple tree than on Oak Tree, and the Maple tree’s trunk has a yellowing hue.

A small tip when trying to depict between an oak tree and a maple tree is you can find if there is a gap between the leaves and the trunk. An oak tree will always have an opening, while a maple tree will not.


Maple Tree vs Oak Tree in Summer

Oak Tree vs Maple Tree in Summer
Oak Tree vs Maple Tree in Summer / Image: Pigtou.com

A maple tree is elementary to spot during the summer compared to an oak tree. As mentioned earlier, the maple tree will bloom little yellow flowers next to the leaves, while the oak tree does not. This is the proper way of finding a maple tree during the summer!


Maple Tree vs Oak Tree in Autumn / Fall

Oak Tree vs Maple Tree in Fall
Oak Tree vs Maple Tree in Fall / Image: Pigtou.com

Between the maple and oak tree, you will notice that their leaves are different colours during Autumn (Fall). As mentioned before, you will see purple leaves everywhere for the Maple tree. While for the oak tree, it will be with all orange leaves.


Maple Tree vs Oak Tree in Winter

Oak Tree vs Maple Tree in Winter
Oak Tree vs Maple Tree in Winter / Image: Pigtou.com

Winter is one of the most challenging seasons to identify trees, considering you have no leaves to identify with. With the maple and oak tree, the trunk colours are entirely identical to each other. The only difference is that the maple trunk is slightly thinner and divided into two main parts, while the oak tree remains in a one-piece solid trunk.


How to Grow Maple Trees in Stardew Valley

Although the planting and growing processes are pretty straightforward, there are many strategies to grow Stardew Valley Maple Trees in the best ways. We’ve prepared a list of actionable recommendations to increase your Maple trees as quickly as possible without spending lots of resources!


Where Can You Get Maple Seeds from?

Before growing a maple tree, you first need maple seeds to start!

There are multiple ways to get Maple seeds; the easiest ones are listed below:

  • Right-Click on a Mature Maple Tree. This will shake the maple tree, which causes it to drop 0-2 seeds daily.
  • Cut Down a Mature Maple Tree. Like shaking, cutting down a mature maple tree will drop you 0-2 maple seeds.
  • Chop Down the Maple Tree at Stage 1. As a planted maple tree at stage one, you can chop it down and receive one maple seed.
  • Find in Garbage Cans. Sometimes dumpster diving is beneficial! One maple seed is possible to be found.
  • Buy at Travelling Cart for 100-1,000g.


There are other random ways of receiving maple tree seeds, like using a Wood Chipper, although these are less effective than the listed above scenarios.


The Best Locations for Maple Tree Farms in Stardew Valley

There are many locations where you can grow a maple tree farm if that is what you want. You can plant, grow, fit tappers, shake and cut down maple trees anywhere within a farm and outside of it. Keep in mind; Pelican town does not count.

You can plant maple trees and start making a tree farm in many places. Here are some of the best locations for planting maple trees.

You can plant maple trees in such locations:

  • Your Farm
  • Cindersap Forest
  • The Mountain
  • Railroad
  • Quarry
  • Bus Stop and Backwoods
  • Bus Tunnel
  • Train Station and Railroads
  • Robin’s
  • Desert
  • Island by Leah’s house
  • Land South of the Ranch
  • Inside the Mines
  • Spa Area


However, for the best results, consider these locations for planting non-fruit trees:

  • Desert – due to ample open space
  • Around the bus stop – you’ll likely have to pass by often during the game’s early stages; this will save you time and energy.
  • Along the mountain path that goes north up to Robin’s – that leaves the entire forest available to cut down for wood


The Perfect Spacing between Maple Trees

If your maple trees don’t reach maturity, you likely have the wrong spacing between trees. Unlike fruit trees, an area around maple trees may not be empty. However, there will never be two mature maple trees growing side-by-side. Therefore, leave at least one tile around the tree without another planted tree. This is your safest bet for growing your maple trees faster.

Optimal spacing between maple trees
Optimal spacing between maple trees / Image: Pigtou.com

If you want to save time while collecting your maple syrup, leave two spaces between trees horizontally and one space vertically. Because the horse requires one slot to move through horizontal spaces but 2 for vertical, you’ll lose 20% of space but will save a lot of time; you’ll be able to collect resources without getting off the horse.

Advanced spacing between maple trees
Advanced spacing between maple trees / Image: Pigtou.com

Additionally, if you don’t want to spend time cutting pre-mature maple trees that got replanted by themselves, put paths, crops or decorations around your mature trees. Maple trees can spontaneously plant one seed in any direction 3 miles away from the parent tree.


Maple Tree Growth Times

The growth times of maple trees vary; the median time is 18 in-game days. However, it can take twice as much time.

Usually, a maple tree has a 20% chance to get to another stage overnight during growth stages 1-4 or a 20% chance to become mature (stage 5) from stage 4 in two nights. Therefore, maple tree doesn’t grow during the winter season.

Want to wait for an even shorter time? Using the tree fertiliser can guarantee a stage up overnight except for level 4, which will take two nights to reach maturity. Fertilised maple trees grow even in winter.

If you chop down a maple tree outside the farm and remove a stump, the tree has a 20% chance of reappearing as a stage 3 seedling (even in winter) overnight. After reappearing, it will grow as usual into a mature tree. However, if the stump is not removed, the tree will not regrow.


Solutions When Maple Trees are Not Growing?

There are four main reasons why your maple trees are not growing (or they’re growing too slowly):

  1. Not enough space – there will never be two mature trees side-by-side. Check the optimal spacing section higher in this article
  2. Bad season – trees do not grow in winter
  3. Not enough time – trees have a 1/5 chance to stage up overnight. Use tree fertiliser to speed this up.
  4. Stumps regrow into stage 3 trees if the stump is removed. And again, with a 1/5 chance.


Fitting Tappers on Maple Trees

Maple tree tapper
Maple tree tapper / Image: Pigtou.com

Using tappers is essential if you want your maple trees to give valuable resources regularly.

There are two different types of tappers; light and heavy. Both can be crafted from crafting recipes (Esc > Crafting tab). Heavy tapper became available at the 1.5 updates.

Light tappers can be crafted with the following:

  • 40 Wood
  • 2 Copper Bars


Remember to be at Foraging level 3 before you craft the light tapper. The light tapper extracts one maple syrup in 9 days.

Heavy tapper can be crafted with the following:

  • 30 Hardwood
  • 1 Radioactive Bar


The crafting recipe can only be purchased from Mr Qi Secret Walnut Room on Ginger Island for 40 Qi gems. Heavy tapper extracts one maple syrup once in 4 days.


To put the tapper on the tree, simply:

  1. Hold the Tapper (hold the right button),
  2. Walk up to the Tree
  3. Place the tapper on the square occupied by the base of the tree.


To remove the tapper, hit it with an axe once, and it will return to your inventory. You can fit tappers on any trees on and outside your farm, apart from Pelican Town trees.

To collect maple syrup, simply left-click on the tapper.

PRO TIP: Synchronise on-farm Maple trees with off-farm trees, so once your on-farm trees produce maple syrup, you’ll know that off-farm maple trees also produce the syrup. This will save you time and energy.


Resources to Get or Craft from Maple Trees

There are multiple resources you can extract or craft from maple trees. A few are less valuable than others, while some are good for crafting higher-value goods. We’ll discuss them below.


Maple Syrup

Maple syrup
Maple syrup / Image: Pigtou.com

Maple Syrup is the most valuable resource from Maple Trees and is why many players plant maple trees. Below we have put together everything you need to know about how Maple Syrup works!


How to Get Maple Syrup Recipe?

You don’t need a specific recipe to produce Maple Syrup as it is not a craftable item. You only get it from a tapper fitted on Maple Tree. However, you’ll need Level 3 of Foraging to craft a tapper.


How to Make Maple Syrup in Stardew Valley?

Maple Syrup should not be cooked or crafted. All you have to do is to identify a mature Maple tree, put a tapper on it and collect maple syrup in 9 days.

Need maple syrup faster? Put heavy instead of a light tapper, and your maple syrup will be ready in 4 days. If you do not have any tappers or need Maple Syrup elsewhere, you can sometimes find maple syrup in a travelling cart.


How Long Does It Take to Get Maple Syrup?

It can take up to 9 days to retrieve maple syrup and as low as four days. The light tapper will give you maple syrup in nine days, while the heavy tapper shortens it to four.


Maple Syrup Uses: What is Maple Syrup Used For?

  • The majority of players mainly use maple syrup for crafting bee houses that are used to produce honey as a high-value product.
  • Maple syrup can also be sold for 200g each or 250g if your profession is Tapper.
  • You’ll need it as an ingredient to cook maple bars
  • You can gift it to almost every villager except Maru; they will like it
  • You’ll need it to complete a Secret Note #23 (we discuss this below)


Who Likes Maple Syrup in Stardew Valley?

No one loves maple syrup as a gift; however, all villagers apart from Maru like it. Therefore, there are better gifts than maple syrup for her.


Field Snacks in Stardew Valley

Field snack
Field snack / Image: Pigtou.com

Field snacks are a great way to boost your character’s health and energy. In order to create Field Snacks, you must have the following:

  • 1 Maple Seed
  • 1 Acorn
  • 1 Pine Cone


Crafting the field snack will boost your +45 energy and +20 for your health! These are excellent snacks to carry around during your Stardew journeys.

HINT: Keep in mind that villagers would prefer something else if you are looking to use Field snacks as gifts.


Maple Bars in Stardew Valley

Maple bar
Maple bar / Image: Pigtou.com

Maple Bar is like a Field Snack but with a much higher effect on your energy and health. If you eat it, it will add +225 to your power and +101 to your health. You can also sell it for 300g.

How to Make or Get Maple Bars

Maple bars must be cooked in an upgraded farmhouse, or you can craft a cookout kit and make maple bars outside.

To craft (cook) maple bars, you must have the following ingredients:

  • 1x Maple Syrup
  • 1x Sugar
  • 1x Wheat Flour


This will cook you one single maple bar. If you want more than one, repeat the ingredients.

Who Likes Maple Bars in Stardew Valley?

Sam and a Bear would love to get maple bars as gifts. These are your best bet when gifting maple bars in Stardew Valley.


Maple Seeds

Maple seed
Maple seed / Image: Pigtou.com

Shake maple trees to get maple seeds that have yet to fall. If they have fallen, you can use an axe or hoe to dig the seeds up to avoid skipping them. Once you have collected the seeds, you can sell them for 5g or use them for crafting valuable goods like field snacks.


Hazelnuts in Maple Trees

Hazelnut
Hazelnut / Image: Pigtou.com

Shake maple trees from the 15th to the 28th day of the Autumn/Fall season for a chance to get hazelnuts. Hazelnuts from Maple trees can be sold for 90g or used for cooking roasted hazelnuts or as an ingredient to wild seeds.


Collecting Sap in Maple Trees

Sap
Sap / Image: Pigtou.com

Collect sap by chopping down mature maple trees. Although the selling price of sap is a meagre of 2g, it’s used in various crafting recipes. One of the common ways of utilising sap is crafting fertilisers that speed up the growth of your crops. Remember, this does not include tree fertiliser (5 stone and 5 fibres).

If you need sap but don’t want to wait until your maple trees regrow again, try to cut down mature maple trees that hinder the growth of new saplings. Saplings reach maturity much faster than newly planted seeds.


Wood and Hardwood

Wood and hardwood
Wood and hardwood / Image: Pigtou.com

Cut down maple saplings or mature maple trees to get wood and possibly other resources like hardwood, maple seeds and sap. These are the exact resources you get if you cut down maple trees during different stages:

  • Stage 1 – you’ll get one maple seed
  • Stages 2 and 3 – you’ll get one piece of wood
  • Stages 4 – you’ll get 4-5 pieces of wood
  • Stage 5 (mature tree) – you’ll get 12-16 pieces of wood along with one sap and possibly 0-2 maple seeds
  • Stump – you’ll get 4-11 pieces of wood depending on your luck, Foraging skills and profession


If your profession is Lumberjack, you’re also gambling to get hardwood with a 50% chance to get 0; 25% to get one and so on.

Some successful players suggest keeping common trees until you craft enough kegs; then, you’ll have enough gold to buy wood, and space can be used for something else.


Best Place to Cut Down Trees for Wood

We recommend planting maple and other common trees in deserts, quarries and train stations to get wood. Then, while you wait for trees to grow in those locations, you can cut down trees in Cindersap Forest.

Some advanced players recommend replanting common trees until you craft enough kegs, bee houses or preserved jars (whatever journey you choose). Then you’ll have enough gold to buy wood, and space can be used for something else.


Crafting Bee Houses with Maple Syrup

Bee house
Bee house / Image: Pigtou.com

You can craft bee houses with maple syrup, which is one of the best reasons maple syrup exists in Stardew Valley! To craft a bee house, you must have the following ingredients:

  • 1 Maple Syrup
  • 1 Copper Bar
  • 8 Coals
  • 40 Wood Pieces
  • Farming Level 3


Once you craft a bee house, it will start producing honey once in 4 days.

After you craft a bee house, you can use it to sell honey for around 100g for wild quality. You can also improve the quality of honey to produce your profits with blooming flowers next to your bee house.

As an example, many players made their honey near a Fairy Rose, being proven to be sold from 680g or 952g with those in the Artisan profession.

To avoid issues and challenges when you attempt flowered honey, make sure you plant at least one flower within five tiles of a bee house and collect your honey before harvesting flowers. Also, ensure your bee houses are placed outside; they will not produce honey when placed in a greenhouse. One tile of flowers can serve multiple bee houses.

PRO TIP: Although bee houses can look like a good income source, many advanced players choose to produce high-value goods in kegs and age them in casks.


Where Should You Take a Maple Syrup in Secret Woods?

Secret Note #23
Secret Note #23 / Image: Pigtou.com

Within your discovery of Secret Note #23, grab some maple syrup and take it to the Secret Woods between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm. You’ll meet a Bear that will take your maple syrup in exchange for knowledge that will instantly 3x your selling price of blackberries and salmonberries. This will 3x your profits when you sell such berries.

Meeting a bear in Secret Woods
Meeting a bear in Secret Woods / Image: Pigtou.com

You’ll only meet a bear if you have an actual Note #23 in your inventory. You don’t have to take maple syrup to a specific location in Secret Woods; if you do everything correctly, there will be a cut scene.

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Pigtou Editorial Team

A group of tech enthusiasts who find pleasure in troubleshooting and resolving various issues. When we're not engaged in writing, we typically enjoy playing table football or spending time with our office dog.
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