Tree Bark Rubbing

Materials:

Nature Journal, crayons, a tree with varying textures of bark

Activity:

In the woods or tree-filled park observe the bark of several trees. How are they the same? How are they different? Use several senses to make observations then using the side of a peeled crayon place your nature journaling page over the bark and gently rub the crayon over the page to create a bark rubbing in your nature journal.

Younger: 

Younger children will enjoy making bark rubbings. Ask them how they can tell the difference between local trees based on what they have learned this year. (Shape of the tree, leaves, bark, seeds, smells, textures, etc.)

Older:

Older children will benefit from taking a more detailed approach. Help them to notice patterns in the bark structure and layers of peeled bark if you find it near the tree as they make a detailed drawing of it instead of a rubbing.

Take it Further:

Have a mini-lesson on the purpose of bark in a tree and what we can learn from looking at the bark of a tree (and rings if you have a slice of tree available to observe). Take some time to see what trees you can identify by their bark and shape alone (since they don’t have leaves or seeds this time of year).

Below I have the Ultimate Tree Bundle by Tanglewood Hollow which has tree bark ID cards in it, A tree ring study by HoneyComb Cabin, and a fabulous tree field guide PACKED with information including how to identify trees by bark. I’ve also included a video on identifying common trees by their bark and what we can learn from tree rings.

Ultimate Tree Bundle by Tanglewood Hollow

Cross section of a tree trunk by HoneyComb Cabin