On 02/03/2014 08:48, 'Mike' wrote:

Just clearing up after having a Copper Beech felled. Biggy. About 90 ft
tall and a trunk of about 4 feet diameter.

Question about the sap. Will the roots still be trying to 'push' the sap
up or does the tree, trunk and leaves 'pull' the sap up.

Sap, is it 'pushed' or 'pulled'?

Both. At least for a while. It may well try to regrow from the stump.

Pulled by capillary action of narrow tubes of the xylem and pushed up by
the roots in return for sugar flowing the other way down the phloem.

One of the plants with the highest known internal sap pressure is the
dangerous toxic succulent euphorbia virosa (and close relatives). It can
throw fine threads of blinding caustic sap several feet when damaged.
You wear eye protection when handling it or working nearby.

ISTR an Italian tank brigade got into serious trouble after driving into
a grove of the stuff. It is one of the more fearsome plants.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown