<p>The social, ecological, and economic value of non-timber forest products is considerable, but their management in North America is understudied, as is the effect of their harvest on the ecosystems that produce them. Maple sap and syrup are non-timber forest products of longstanding importance throughout North America, including in Vermont, which supplies more than half of all United States output. Production of maple in Vermont has swiftly risen since ~ 2010, yet stewardship practices used to supply this product and resultant forest conditions are poorly understood, including impacts from changes in sap collection systems over the past several decades. We analyzed 99 forest management plans for sap producing forests (“sugarbushes”) enrolled in the “current use” tax abatement program in Vermont, investigating the role of voluntary sustainability standards, specifically USDA organic certification and Bird-Friendly Maple recognition, along with the effect of sugaring operation size and age on forest structure, composition, and management activities. Engagement with sustainability standards was associated with greater overstory species diversity, with large operations (&gt; 10,000 taps) organic certified at higher rates than small (&gt; 1,000–4,999 taps). More recently (≥ 2010) tapped sugarbushes were also associated with greater overstory diversity, while older operations (&lt; 2010) were characterized by larger trees and higher live-tree stocking. Our findings highlight the potential benefit of voluntary sustainability standards to biodiversity. In addition, the limited range of forestry activities reported stresses the need for updated silvicultural guidance to sustain forest ecological conditions and account for the unique operational considerations in sugarbushes relative to management for traditional wood products.</p>