Some effects of paraformaldehyde on wood surrounding tapholes in sugar maple trees

Alex L. Shigo; Frederick M. Laing; Frederick M. Laing

Some effects of paraformaldehyde on wood surrounding tapholes in sugar maple trees

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Alex L. Shigo, Frederick M. Laing, Frederick M. Laing

Year:

1970

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-161. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 11 p.

Download PDF (798.9 KB)

Abstract

Pills of paraformaldehyde (trioxymethylene) are commonly used in tapholes in sugar maple trees (Acer saccharam Marsh.) to increase the yield of sap collected for making syrup and sugar. The explanation offered for this increase in sap yield is that microorganisms in the tapholes cause premature decline and stoppage of the sap flow, but that paraformaldehyde increases sap yield by inhibiting their growth. But what happens to the tree? To determine the effects of paraformaldehyde on the tissues surrounding tapholes, and on the microorganisms in those tissues, sugar maple trees were dissected and studied. This paper is a report on that study.

Citation

Shigo, Alex L.; Laing, Frederick M. 1970. Some effects of paraformaldehyde on wood surrounding tapholes in sugar maple trees. Res. Pap. NE-161. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 11 p.