News Media

2023

NZ maple syrup mission

Media article - interview with Matt Watson on whether it's viable to produce maple syrup at scale within Aotearoa New Zealand.

News Media

2023

NZ maple syrup mission taps into hi-tech imaging

Media release from the University of Canterbury describing recent research and the use of cutting-edge imaging techniques to study cells and structures inside the stems of a sugar maple tree.

Publication

2023

Examination of embolisms in maple and birch saplings utilising microCT

James Robinson, Matt Rennie, Mike Clearwater, Daniel Holland, Abby van den Berg, Matthew Watson

Journal paper describing the application of synchrotron x-ray microtomography (microCT) to non-invasively examine the internal structure of a maple and a birch sapling.

Publication

2022

Maple syrup in New Zealand

Matt Watson

Industry article outlining how New Zealand’s potential as a maple syrup producer is being tested by researchers.

News Media

2021

South Island scientists trying to produce maple syrup

Radio NZ

Radio interview – planting and studying a small plantation of maple trees near Hanmer Springs.

News Media

2021

Sweet future tapped for NZ maple syrup test

Matt Watson

Media release from the University of Canterbury describing the research.

Publication

2020

Minimizing the energy requirements for the production of maple syrup

Nicholas J. Weaver, Geoffrey S. Wilkin, Ken R. Morison, Matthew J. Watson

Journal paper describing a series of reverse osmosis experiments. Model developed to minimize the energy consumption and energy cost for concentrating maple sap.

Publication

2020

A two-dimensional heat transfer model for predicting freeze-thaw events in sugar maple trees

Simon Reid, Tenaya Driller, Matthew Watson

Journal paper describing a transient 2D heat transfer model to predict freeze-thaw events in maple trees. Evaluation of potential plantation locations based on climate.

News Media

2020

New Zealand could have commercially successful maple syrup industry - researchers

Newshub (Zac Fleming)

Media article - a maple syrup pioneer and researchers exploring economically feasibility of maple syrup in NZ.

Publication

2019

A detailed look at the mechanisms involved in maple sap exudation

T. Driller, D.J. Holland, M.J. Watson

Conference paper investigating mechanisms driving sap exudation in maple trees. Imaging unique microstructure of a maple tree stem to produce 3D and in-situ visualizations.

Publication

2018

Feasibility of producing maple syrup in New Zealand

Tenaya Driller, Danielle Gandela, Matthew Watson

Conference paper describing intensified maple sap harvesting from saplings, using a specialized extraction system. Preliminary design, environmental growth factors and economic analysis.

News Media

2018

NZ maple syrup industry 'possible and promising'

Stuff (Will Harvie)

Media article -NZ could have a maple syrup industry, despite a mild climate and no sugar maple forests.