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When temperature and sunlight are favorable in February, maple tree sap begins to flow in a tree's wood, just inside the bark.  If there is a natural or drill-made port, sap comes out of the tree and may become an icicle as temperatures drop.  With about 4 percent sugar, sap does not freeze as quickly as pure water freezes.

All maple species, including sugar, silver, black, red, hybrids, and even box elder, the compound-leafed maple, move sap in spring.  As soon as the flower and leaf buds begin to enlarge and grow, the sap no longer flows out through natural and artificial ports.  Expo...