My class is a group of 16 fifth graders at Union Elementary School. Most of the students have gone to this school since kindergarten. Next year they will go to a middle school.

Our class went and found our tree. We measured its diameter-and yikes, it's a lot bigger than we thought! We have a choice of two trees side by side, so we'd like your input as to which one should be the official one. One tree is 94 inches in circumference and about 60 feet tall. It's a beauty! The other one is 64 inches in circ. and about 40 feet tall. It also is missing some of its crown, so we're not as excited about using this one. But we might tap both of them to compare the outcome of both

We'll probably tap on the south side or south west. Did you know that if you tap directly under a main branch that you usually get more sap? I will have to carry the sap home to boil it. It will keep us busy paying attention to the sap flow.

We enjoyed our tree walk as we talked about the visible differences in hardwood trees in the winter. Do you know how to identify trees based on branching patterns? On some trees branches grow opposite eachother and on others they alternate. Maple, Ash, Caprifoliacea, & Horsechestnut trees have opposite branches. You can remember this as the MAD CAP HORSE group.

It still feels like spring here, but cooler weather is forecast. We took photos and will send them ASAP.

Sandal and the Sap Seekers
Union Elementary School
Montpelier, Vermont
(44.15 N, - 72.34 W)