Growing Gardeners: Tremendous Trees

Trees are truly tremendous! From tall to short, deciduous to evergreen, tropical to tundra, trees can teach us about a variety of habitats, adaptations, and resources. Start with trees in your own backyard or neighborhood park, as native trees give us a sense of place and awareness of our local ecosystems. To expand your horizons, a visit to an arboretum or botanical garden can provide knowledge about trees from around the world. A great opportunity for children (and their families) to appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of trees is to understand their characteristics – from bark to leaf. The following activity will get kids outside to explore and create tree identification guides, plus works of art.

For this activity, you will need:

• Paper (plain, construction, etc.)
• Many different colors of crayons (crayons without wrappers are best)
• Easily accessible trees and fallen leaves
• Clipboard or another portable hard surface

Instructions:

1. Visit your favorite tree(s). Make sure that the tree is accessible, with a trail leading right up to the tree. Avoid going off trail in order to protect natural areas.
2. Find a fallen leaf/leaves.
3. Turn the leaf upside down on the clipboard and place a piece of paper on top. It is helpful to clip the paper on the clipboard.
4. Use the side of a crayon to rub firmly across the entire leaf that is below the paper. The veins and outline of the leaf will begin to show.
5. Try other leaves with different colored crayons. Use one sheet of paper for each species of tree or create a collage.
6. For bark rubbings, walk up to the tree and find a height that makes it easy to rub firmly across. Place the piece of paper on top of the bark and use the side of a crayon to rub until the impression of the bark shows through.
7. It is helpful to create an identification guide to place leaf and bark rubbings on the same paper sheet and label them with the tree name.

More Learning Opportunities

Leaf Art

When leaves begin to change color and fall, it is the perfect time to go collect as many different colors and shapes as possible. Use this collection opportunity to show children how varied the colors are and why there are different leaf shapes. After collecting, get out large pieces of paper, glue sticks, markers, and crayons to create leaf works of art!

Eastern hemlock cones. Photo: Mandy L. Smith, Penn State

Pennsylvania State Tree and Origin Legend

The Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, is the state tree of Pennsylvania. It is a forest giant, fondly called the "redwood of the East." They can reach heights over 170 feet, and some trees have been found to live for over 500 years. The Eastern hemlock is a keystone species for habitats in cool coves, slopes, and rocky outcrops and near or along streams and creeks. Take time to learn more about our wonderful state tree with resources online or visit one of Pennsylvania’s state parks with hemlock trees.

Hemlocks have smaller needles and cones compared to other evergreen trees like pines, firs, and spruces. This a story that naturalists tell to describe the different characteristics of the hemlock tree to aid in identification.

Once upon a time, Mother Nature had a celebration to give out cones to the conifer trees of the world. Douglas fir and white pine were the first ones in line and received big cones. Hemlock tree was very late. Hemlock thought they could sneak in line. However, Mother Nature sent them to the back of the line. By the time Hemlock got to Mother Nature, only the smallest cone was left. Mother Nature told Hemlock that one always had to be patient and grateful for what they receive. Hemlock became a humble tree, which is why its branches slope downward and young treetops droop to one side.

Tree Activity Resources

• Arbor Day Foundation
• Discover the Forest
• Project Learning Tree
• Seek App by iNaturalist