Hands On!

It's time to put all that you have learned about Real Trees to work!

Hey Kids! You will need an adult's permission and help to do the first part of this project ... be sure to ask!

Materials: a conifer seedling, planting space, peat moss, a small shovel, water, and a notebook (or the journal page in Think Tank)

Take some time to learn about the conifers in your area. Remember that plants and animals grow and develop a way that works in their environment.

Check with a REAL TREE grower or a nursery in your community to see what kind of conifers live in your area. Ask lots of questions!

• Where is the best place to plant them?
• What time of year do they grow best?
• How do I plant the seedling so that it will be healthy?
• How do I  keep the seedling healthy after I plant it?
• How much water does it need?

Once you have all of your answers and materials, you are ready to plant. Use a notebook to keep track of what you do.

• Carefully measure the height of your seedling.
• Record the number of branches it has.
• Count the number of needles on each branch and describe how they feel ... be careful not to harm the needles!

Care for your seedling using the tips from your local grower or nursery. Then, every week, take your notebook with you when you check on your tree. Take and record the same measurements you did when you planted the seedling. Are there any changes? Write a short summary of the changes you see!

When you are finished, you will have a new tree to enjoy and a notebook to show how it all happened!

Photo Credit: Willey's Christmas Trees