Why was it raining underneath some trees on my way home this afternoon?

Posted by Cornishlee@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 9 comments

Started cycling to work this year when I have to be in the office. This afternoon I took my usual route which involved a tree lined path. This afternoon was boiling hot but when I cycled underneath this row of trees it was like it was raining? Not a lot but definitely drops landing on me?! Have I encountered an enchanted forest?

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9 Comments

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alloftheplants@reddit

Probably honeydew, which is a very nice name for what's actually sap that's passed through sap-sucking insects, mostly aphids- they collect the protein and excrete the excess sugar and water. Some of the insects that do it let it collect into big drops then flick it away.

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imtheorangeycenter@reddit

I thinglk the transpiration answers are probably right, but I'd like to offer the stuff that lands on your car from Lime trees. I always thought it was droplets of sap, but turns out it's basically Aphid piss. I am not Chris Packham obviously.

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mhoulden@reddit

Weeping willows?

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Stuffedwithdates@reddit

Trees sweat in a process known as transpiration normally the sweat evaporates but if the humidity is high just like humans they drip.

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Jack-Rabbit-002@reddit

A Glitch in the Matrix

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AcreCryPious@reddit

Probably just the transpiration stream of the plant I expect pulling more water through due to the heat.

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IsWasMaybeAMefi@reddit

Could be squirrels that really don't like him?

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Craft_on_draft@reddit

Squirrel piss

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