Jul. 4, 2008 - Outdoor Hour Challenge #20 - Summer Tree Study
We began today's Outdoor Hour inside! We emptied our flower press and stuck the pressed leaves and flowers into Littlesmurf's journal. This is how the pages looked before he labelled them -
These leaves are (clockwise from TOP LEFT) - dandelion, rose bush, ivy leaf, herb Robert and an unknown leaf!
Then we have the Ox-Eye daisies (also known as "dog daisies" or "Marguerites" - these were used to treat chest complaints in the past.
Finally, we added the pressed poppies - corn poppies, by the way. Littlesmurf was fascinated by the fact that they seemed to have changed colour from bright red to a deep purple!
We then went outside onto the "Green" to check on our Black Poplar tree. Littlesmurf and his Dad began by measuring the girth of the tree - today it measured at 103 inches (but, if you look at the measuring tape it seems to be dangling loose at the back!).
We then had a close look at the base of the tree and found new plants growing - these, Littlesmurf identified as clover and thistles.
Littlesmurf then began to look at the bark of the tree - he discovered that one side was covered in moss whilst the other was very rough and dry. After talking about this, we decided that the moss covered bark was on the side of the tree that was most exposed to the rain.
No matter how hard we looked, we could not find any insects or animals near our tree. However, Littlesmurf did say that the wind that was blowing through the branches and leaves on the tree sounded "like rain falling lightly."
There were leaves on the tree, but no fruits at all. Littlesmurf had a really close look at the leaves and said that they were sort of triangular in shape.
Further up the tree, we could see new growth - new branches just grown this year!
There was also evidence of even more new growth on the stump that is near our tree -
This was where Littlesmurf decided to have a rest before going back indoors!
A very enjoyable afternoon in the sun together as a family!
Comments
Jul. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
That does look like a fun family day! Those pressed flowers are so pretty, I especially like the daisy. Great job. Hope you doing well, and that you have a great week. Julie http://funinthesunmom.blogspot.com
Jul. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by blessedwith2angels
What a neat nature lesson. I love those hands on activities that make learning much more fun.
Pam
Jul. 8, 2008 - Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Posted by Anonymous
Great tree study and observations. I love to see the whole family get involved.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
