Adopt a Tree Spring

Materials:

nature journal, drawing utensils of choice, and a tree you can easily remember and return to.

Activity:

Go to a tree you would like to watch throughout the year and open your nature journal to the “Adopt a tree” section. It can be a tree in your yard, at a park, or other favorite nature study location. Draw it in your nature journal. What does it look like? Do you notice leaves or flowers? The difference between new and old growth on the branches?

Younger:

Have them tell you what they notice, draw a basic trunk, and had them add the colors they see above it.

Older:

Encourage them to do a basic outline of the tree then another section that shows a close up of the buds, leaves, or flowers in detail. Encourage them to write down at least one question from what they observed today.

Take it Further:

Do a mini-lesson on trees in springtime or find some pictures of the Japanese cherry blossoms in spring and talk about the significance they have to Japanese people.

To help with your mini-lesson check out the picture below of the Japanese cherry blossoms painted with woodblocks by Tokuriki Tomikchiro in the 1950s or a 2-minute video of the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival.

Tokuriki Tomikichiro, Lake Kawaguchi, 1950s

CREATE YOUR OWN NATURE JOURNAL:

In the four pages, you have reserved for “Adopt a tree” entries. Write “Adopt a tree Spring” at the top then draw your observations.

See more Nature Journaling Card Activities here