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Questions and Answers: 2022

Question: Again, in reference to my original question, 'How does an 80 foot maple tree open its buds in the spring', …

• Question

  Again, in reference to my original question, 'How does an 80 foot maple tree open its buds in the spring', you respond that it is done by capillary action and the partial vacuum created by evaporation at leaf pores. Capillary action is limited to a lift of 32 feet; partial vacuum only works when leaves are open. These are why I specified an 80 foot tree and how it could open its buds when there are no leaves to evaporate from. So I now ask: is there actually an answer to my original question?

  Answer

  Dear porphyry5, while capillary action is limited to 32 feet, there is also a lower pressure created by water loss of the apical organs. These both are important to drawing up the water (not just capillary action, which is not based on pressure, but rather adhesive and cohesive forces). Best wishes.