Deciduous tree biology, photosynthesis/xylem/phloem, bark ID, history of and DIY Maple Syrup making!

In this video I visit a Maple Tree in mid-winter in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, specifically Floyd County, Virginia. I discuss the winter dormancy of the tree, how sugars made by photosynthesis in summer are stored in roots. i explain how water and sugar move down in a tree through special vessels called phloem and how water and nutrients move up in a tree through the xylem. I discuss the importance of sugars moving back up to buds in tree branches in the spring to provide "jump-start" energy for production of new leaves. I also explain how sugar was limited in appalachians and both sorghum and maple trees were utilized. I explain how indigenous people collected maple sap and reduced it by boiling in hollowed out logs by dropping hot stones into it. I will be doing a series on maple syrup making and encouraged viewers to DIY and obtain necessary material in advance of spring "sap run".
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www.natureatyourdoor.com
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[@juliannahealy5476]

What a fun winter activity for the entire family!! Thank you for always sharing great Covid safe activities!!

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome! It is really fun eating pancakes with your OWN syrup!

[@rosefrazier5318]

I am going to pay more attention to the bark of a tree to see if I can identify the trees on my hikes. What fun to collect and make your own real maple syrup. Real maple syrup is the best on pancakes. Especially if collected in your own backyard .

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes ...super special! Yes...and even not I'd ING it's beautiful to become more aware of the features and artistry of bark alone!

[@tejaswinidash8536]

Great video... it's really very informative...

[@natureatyourdoor]

You will really like seeing the follow up to this! Fascinating process/sustainable resource, Tejaswini!

[@trevinwhiteley2730]

was that a bull in the upper left hand corner near the end?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Ha! No ...that was one of my big ole dogs that are always with me and frequently photo bomb my videos! Watch for them in other videos!😉

[@kidyco2373]

Hi

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi!

[@streamlinetreecare182]

Of course tapping the tree is likely to injure the cambium and cause irreversible damage. That’s not necessarily a problem on a forest tree as they have evolved to tolerate some damage. However ornamental urban/suburban trees are already under a lot of cumulative stress from soil compaction and other problems, so a homeowner with only a maple or two in their yard may be better off to enjoy the process vicariously through your videos.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you Streamline Tree care. I had not really thought about that. The trees I have tapped always fell into the forest tree category. I also wondered about that as I suggested tapping...most of info I read is from ...well...people that are invested in tapping trees...so some potential bias there. Successional changes in forest trees could cause stress as well. I have always thought about the amount of sap taken as well. More to think about! Thanks for engaging thought and more research in this direction.