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Note: This course covers trees of the eastern United States and may require adaptation for those living in other areas.

There are many ways in which the problem of identifying trees may be approached.

The majority attempt to recognize trees by their leaf characters. Leaf characters, however, do not differentiate the trees during the other half of the year when they are bare.
Bare Tree in the Winter
In this chapter the characterizations are based, as far as possible, on peculiarities that are evident all year round.

In almost every tree there is some one trait that marks its individuality and separates it, at a glance, from all other trees. It may be the general form of the tree, its mode of branching, bark, bud or fruit. It may be some variation in color, or, in case of the evergreen trees, it may be the number and position of the needles or leaves.
The Characteristic Fruit of the Mulberry Tree
The species included in the following pages have thus been arranged in groups based on these permanent characters.

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read the lesson.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
  • Learn the concepts.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Characters are distinguishing features, characteristics, or traits. The first chapter overviews some defining characters of trees, including the general form of the tree, its color, its mode of branching, bark, bud or fruit or the number and position of the needles or leaves.

Vocabulary

Tree: A perennial woody plant, differentiated from a shrub by its larger size or growth habit, usually having a single or few main axis or trunk unbranched for some distance above the ground and a head of branches and foliage.
Characters: Distinguishing features, characteristics, or traits.
Characterization: The act or process of determine the characteristics of.
Trait: An identifying characteristic or feature.
Species: A group of plants or animals having similar appearance or characteristics that can interbreed.

Concepts

CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES

The first lesson overviews identifying trees based on their distinguishing characteristics.

The general traits of trees include:

  1. Consists of a stem, branches, leaves, and roots.
  2. Has a woody stem, called a trunk.
  3. Takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen - the opposite of humans.
  4. Long living - did you know trees can live for millennia? The root system of Pando (the trembling giant), the oldest tree (actually a grove of quaking aspen sharing one root system), is over 80,000 years old. Study the picture of Pando.
  5. Grows quite tall for plants. The tallest plant, named Hyperion, is a redwood tree in California that is over 380 feet tall. Study the picture of some towering redwoods.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

  • After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Study the Lesson Pictures

  • Study the lesson pictures and describe how they relate to the lesson.

Activity 3: Take a Nature Walk

  • Bring a small collection bag and embark on a nature walk.
  • Collect multiple types of leaves.
  • Use the gathered specimens to create the field book entry.

Activity 4: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete pages 4-6 in 'Science Field Book for Fourth Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is another word for character (e.g. of leaves)?
1 / 6

Answer 1

Other words for character include characteristics, features, or traits.
1 / 6

Question 2

What are the major parts of trees?
2 / 6

Answer 2

Major parts of trees include the leaves, branches, stem, and roots.
2 / 6

Question 3

Name some traits of trees.
3 / 6

Answer 3

Trees are generally tall, long-living plants, with leaves, branches, stems, and roots.
3 / 6

Question 4

In what way are trees and people opposites?
4 / 6

Answer 4

Trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. People breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
4 / 6

Question 5

What is special about the tree named Hyperion?
5 / 6

Answer 5

At over 380 feet, Hyperion is the tallest tree in the world.
5 / 6

Question 6

What is special about the tree named Pando?
6 / 6

Answer 6

With a root system over 80,000 years old, Pando is the world's oldest living tree.
6 / 6

  1. What is another word for character (e.g. of leaves)? Other words for character include characteristics, features, or traits.
  2. What are the major parts of trees? Major parts of trees include the leaves, branches, stem, and roots.
  3. Name some traits of trees. Trees are generally tall, long-living plants, with leaves, branches, stems, and roots.
  4. In what way are trees and people opposites? Trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. People breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
  5. What is special about the tree named Hyperion? At over 380 feet, Hyperion is the tallest tree in the world.
  6. What is special about the tree named Pando? With a root system over 80,000 years old, Pando is the world's oldest living tree.

References

  1. 'Studies of Trees' by Jacob Joshua Levison. gutenberg.org/ebooks/16116. n.p.
  2. 'Pando (tree).' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pando_(tree). n.p.

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