My Tree Activity BookEvery day you may pass by trees, do you have a favorite tree?

Let’s pick a tree and take a closer look!

PICK A TREE: Find a tree you want to learn more about.

DRAW THE TREE:

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE TREE? This tree is (use 10 words):

1. _____________________________ 6. _____________________________

2. _____________________________ 7. _____________________________

3. _____________________________ 8. _____________________________

4. _____________________________ 9. _____________________________

5. _____________________________ 10. ____________________________

Compliant with Science Started Grade 3/Strand 4: Life Science

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TREE IDENTIFICATION: Now that you have learned to describe your tree. Can you identify it’s common or scientific name? Research at your library or on your computer to find out what type of tree you have.

YOUR TREE TYPE: __________________________________________________

Can you see the roots? What do they do? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can you find the stems? What do they do? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can you see the bark? What does it do and what does it look like? __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can you find the leaves? What do they do? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can you find the flowers or fruits? What do they do? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can you find growth on the tree? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can you find decay? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Can you find any animals on the tree? What about decomposers? (Fungi, insects, bacteria) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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EXCURRENT TREE: Pyramid shape.

DECURRENT TREE: Rounded tree.

ROOTS: Grow where water, oxygen, and space is available. Most roots grow out not down. Many roots live with fungus in symbiosis: this means both the tree and the fungus benefit from living together. The fungus roots are called mycorrhizae.

Key terms to help you describe your tree

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mycorrhizae give water & nutrients

to tree roots

mycorrhizae receive sugar from the tree roots

Does your tree have pine needles?

LEAVES: Chlorophyll is the green color in leaves. Sometimes the bark is green like in the Palo Verde tree.

DRAW A LEAF FROM YOUR TREE:

SIMPLE LEAF: one blade that is not divided into leaflets.

COMPOUND LEAF: has two or more leaflets

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blade

leaf

leafletmidrib

bud

budstem

petiole

petiole

petiolule

A LEAF MARGIN is the outer age of the leaf blade. Here are some examples:

What leaf margin does your tree have?

Finally draw or print out a map and point out where your tree is located.

entire

undulate

serrate

lobed

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Now it’s time to write a poem about your tree.

Use your senses to help you.What do you smell, hear, see, touch, and feel?

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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited basis apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

A project in collaboration with:

trees matter.org