Tree listening has been a firm favorite spring activity of mine for many years, both for myself and with the children I get to share nature with!
Deciduous trees lay dormant all winter when it gets cold to save energy, and as the spring arrives, the water from the roots builds up pressure and pushes the sap up into the veins of the tree filling it with life once again and waking it from its slumber.
The sap is a little like the blood we have in our veins, it carries important nutrients around the tree and up into its branches, giving it everything it needs to grow new buds and leaves. It also stores sugars that are made during photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is the process in which the tree uses energy from the sun, to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose to feed itself and oxygen which it releases back into the air for us to breathe
If you hold a stethoscope to the trunk of a tree, just at the right time, you can hear this happening! It sounds like a snap, crackle, popping, a bit like Rice Krispies.
This is such a magical experience if you ever get the chance and a great way to foster a deeper connection to nature.
I find that this usually works best with silver birch, however, it's great fun trying it on lots of different trees and a lovely way to improve your tree identification knowledge. I always like to bring along some guidebooks to help with this so the children can look them up and extend their learning.
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