Southgate Elementary fourth-grader Sheyanne Wittmer gets a taste of maple tree sap during a visit to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Thursday. — Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Kylea Rupe carries a full pail of maple tree sap back to a central bucket.

Morries Jabateh watches as Jay C. Hormel Nature Center naturalist Larry Dolphin drills into a silver maple.