A Deciduous Tree Study

Join us as we observe the changes of a deciduous tree throughout the seasons.

Our chosen deciduous tree!
Our chosen deciduous tree!

CHOOSING OUR TREE

My two boys and I are beginning our nature study this year by choosing one deciduous tree to observe throughout the seasons. We have chosen a hazel tree which we walk past daily so we can easily notice any changes which occur.

We identified the tree by looking at the shape of its leaves. A hazel leaf is rounded with jagged edges and a distinguishable pointed tip. In our first observation we noticed that young saplings have begun to grow directly below the mature adult. This reminded us of when we looked at seed dispersal and discovered the different ways in which a plant disperses its seeds so they are not all competing for resources.

What will we observe?

Some of the things we will focus on and record in our nature journals will include:

  • Leaves beginning to change colour.
  • When all the leaves have changed colour.
  • Leaves begin falling off the tree.
  • Our tree going bare.
  • Our tree beginning to flower.
  • It’s first fruit / seeds
  • The first green leaves of spring.
  • Animals living in the tree including birds and insects.
Leaves of the hazel tree we will observe.
Leaves of the hazel tree we will observe.

WHAT IS A DECIDUOUS TREE?

Plants can be placed into two categories: deciduous and evergreen. Evergreen plants have green leaves throughout the year. They usually live in a climate which subjects them to very little stress, such as extreme cold or heat. They are able to absorb and retain enough light and water throughout the year that they do not need to shed their leaves.

The oldest trees can be found in California, USA. Some are believed to be between 4000 and 5000 years old.

Deciduous trees however experience a number of changes throughout the year. In autumn their leaves change colour and fall off. Leaves contain a green pigment called chlorophyll. In the spring and summer, when there is plenty of sunlight the chlorophyyll turns the leaves green. In autumn, when the weather is colder and there is less sunlight, the chlophyll begins to fade and the other colours inside the leaf show through. This is why we get beautiful shades of reds, oranges, yellows and browns throughout the autumn months.

Deciduous and evergreen activity sheets from our Plants Around Us topic.
Deciduous and evergreen activity sheets from our Plants Around Us topic.

COMPARING DECIDUOUS AND EVERGREEN LEAVES

As autumn begins and the leaves start to change colour, this is the perfect time to support your child in identifying deciduous and evergreen trees. Go for a walk and notice the different types of trees in your area. Encourage your child to compare the shapes and textures of leaves that a deciduous and evergreen tree have.

You may notice the leaves on a deciduous tree are generally flat and broad. Another common trait of deciduous leaves is their visible veins. Evergreen trees however have needles or a thick waxy leaf. Needles are still leaves and do the same job as broad leaves by capturing sunlight, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. However, evergreen trees have adapted their leaves in order to survive cold and even freezing temperatures. Their needles are more wind resistant and less likely to blow off. As the don’t all fall off each year, these prickly leaves can capture sunlight all year around. Plus, the evergreens with leaves often have a waxy coating allowing them to retain water and moisture for longer.

For any KS1 annual members of Hands-On Education be sure to head to our year two science Plants Around Us topic and find activity four. There you can download the deciduous and evergreen activity sheet to support your child in identifying the colours of deciduous and evergreen trees.

Looking at the needles of an evergreen tree.
Looking at the needles of an evergreen tree.

EIGHT FUN TREE FACTS

Trees are truly amazing! Here are a couple of fun facts that you may not know about trees.

  1. Longest living organism: trees are the longest living organisms on Earth. The oldest trees can be found in California, USA. Some are believed to be between 4000 and 5000 years old.
  2. Forever young: trees cannot die of old age.
  3. Moon trees: some trees have been taken to the moon. In 1971 some seeds were taken into space along with Apollo 14 to see if this would affect the way they grew.
  4. Self-defence: trees can defend themselves against insects by producing various chemicals to make their leaves harder for pests to digest.
  5. Compass: trees can help you find the direction North. In northern temperate climates moss will grow on the north side of a tree where there is less sunlight.
  6. Branches don’t change height: when a birdhouse is hung on a tree branch it won’t move up the tree as it grows. This is because a tree grows from the top so a branch on a tree will remain at the same height as the day it began to grow.
  7. Water quality: trees act as a filter as it soaks up the falling rain water before slowly releasing it into streams and rivers.
  8. Improves air quality: a mature tree can absorb a high amount of carbon dioxide from the air whilst releasing the oxygen back into the air.
A couple of leaves have changed colour already.
A couple of leaves have changed colour already.

HOW WE WILL RECORD OUR OBSERVATION

The wonderful thing about any kind of nature study is that it is personal to you and there are many different ways you and your child can record their observations. Here are a few ideas:

  • Discuss the changes you see.
  • Photograph your tree throughout the year.
  • Create artwork using parts of the tree: Bark rubbing, leaf printing, leaf collage
  • Draw / paint the changes you see.
  • Use your tree to inspire poetry and story-telling.

Will you join us in observing a deciduous tree throughout the year? Choose your tree with your child and encourage them to really observe what they see. Take photographs, make notes and create related artwork.

Here are some more of our topics related to nature.

Key Stage One
Seasons

Seasons Activities

Key Stage One
Plants Around Us

Plants Around Us Activities

Key Stage Two
Seeds and Lifecycles

Seeds and Lifecycles Activities

Hands-On Education's
Nature Journal

Nature Journal