Family Brainstorm:

Print out a copy of my "Why Are Trees Important to the World" Worksheet and discuss the various things that trees provide to the world, like oxygen, food (in the form of various fruits and nuts), and homes for different animals.

Classifying Trees:

Deciduous trees shed their leaves annually, usually in the fall. Everygreen trees keep their leaves year-round, providing constant greenery. Coniferous trees are a type of evergreen with needle-like leaves and cones. All conifers are evergreens, but not all evergreens are conifers.

Print out a copy of my Classify Trees Printable Worksheet and together as a family read non-fiction books about trees. While you are reading the books write down the names of any deciduous, evergreen or coniferous trees you encounter.

Fill out this printable worksheet as you do this experiment.

Want to help the tree?

Reuse and then cycle your paper.

PARTS OF THE TREE:

Using any of the tree crafts for this Tree Theme Day, together as a family label the 5 main parts of the tree: roots, trunk, branches, twigs and leaves.

NOTE: You could also make an additional craft by simply cutting out different shapes from coloured paper to assemble a tree (large brown rectangle for the trunk, brown skinny triangles for the roots, small brown rectangles for the branches and twigs, and small green ovals or tear drops for the leaves). Encourage your children to write the parts on the craft him/herself.

CHLOROPHYLL EXPERIMENT:

Note: Leaves have a green pigment in them which is called chlorophyll. This is a chemical that causes photosynthesis (which is the process plants use to capture sunlight and is how trees and plants “eat” and grow). Leaves also have different pigments in them to help capture the colors of light that chlorophyll misses. It is also these other pigments that come through in autumn when the leaves change color as the hours of sunlight lessen and the plants rely on the reserved chlorophyll.

How to Tell the Age of a Tree:

Here's how to determine a tree's age:

1. Count the Tree Rings: The most accurate way to determine the age of a tree is by counting its annual rings, which are visible in the cross-section of its trunk. Each ring represents one year of growth.

2. Measure the Circumference: Measure the circumference of the tree about 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) above the ground. Divide the circumference by the tree's species-specific growth factor to get an estimated age.

3. Consult Growth Rate Charts: Many charts are available online that estimate tree age based on species and trunk diameter. These can provide a good rough estimate.

Step 4: Tape the dried paper strip to the middle of a pencil or straw making sure it will reach down into the jar but not touch the bottom of the jar.

Step 1: Cut a wide strip from the coffee filter making a point at one end with the scissors.

Step 2: Place a leaf on top of the filter strip about a quarter of the way up above the cut point. Gently roll the edge of the coin over the leaf to press it enough to release some green “juice”. You could also use a butter knife for this.

Step 3: Let the paper dry. If you want you can repeat step 1 to 3 and use different types of leaves.

Trees - Reading & Writing

Trees - Foods

Trees - Crafts

Arbor Day/ Trees

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Step 5: Pour some rubbing alcohol into the bottom of the jar or glass. You want enough so that the tip of the coffee filter touches the rubbing alcohols. Make sure that the “juice” markings do not touch the alcohol (you may have to adjust the strip).

Step 6: To keep the alcohol from evaporating be sure to lay a piece of tin foil over the top of the jar or glass.

Step 7: Observe and have your child(ren) write down what you see.

Step 8: Wait 10 minutes and observe again and write more observations on your worksheet. Do not allow the alcohol to “climb” to the top of the filter paper strip.

NOTE: You should be observing the alcohol moving up the coffee filter drip and then carrying the colour pigments left in the leaf “juice”. Within 10 to 20 minutes the different coloured pigments should be separated.

NOTE: This strip of paper is actually called a chromatograph.

There are so many cool things to learn about trees!

Photo: C. Wright

Family Discussion:

Dinner time is a great time to have a family discussion. Talk about trees? What are the names of different types of trees? What's your favourite type of tree?

Go through family photo albums or online photo albums and discover the trees you've seen on vacation.

Materials: Coffee filter, child safe scissors, glass or jar, a leaf (or more if you want to test more than one type of leaf), a coin or butter knife, rubbing alcohol, a pencil or straw, tape, tin foil. a copy of the Chlorophyll Experiment Worksheet.