Sap

The term sap is generally applied to all the fluid that travels through the vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) of higher plants. Sap is primarily water and sugar. Sugars are produced by trees as the result of photosynthesis in the leaves and stored over winter primarily as starch which is enzymatically converted to sugars in the early spring. Sap also contains growth hormones, minerals, and other compounds.